The short film Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know, directed by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student Chidananda S. Naik, has qualified for Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category.
The film is produced by FTII, which said on its Instagram page: “The film’s poignant and profound narrative is centered on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster.
“Produced as part of the final year exercise, the film has won several awards this year including La Cinef - Cannes 2024. The qualification comes after it won at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. Congratulations to the entire student team – Chidanand Naik (direction), Suraj Thakur (camera), Manoj V (editing) and Abhishek Kadam (sound).”
The 16-minute film was granted 15,000 euros for the first prize at Cannes 2024, reported India Today.
It revolves around the story of a village thrown into chaos by an elderly woman who steals a rooster. To bring the rooster back, a prophecy is invoked, sending the old lady’s family into exile.
The Cannes jury applauded the film, stating: “An illumination that, from the depths of the night, shines with humour and a keen sense of direction.”
Sunflowers is filmed at night and immerses the viewers into an Indian landscape.
Chidananda said in a press note: “I have aspired to tell this story for as long as I can remember. Our goal was to recreate the experience of not merely hearing these stories but of genuinely living them – an experience I hope resonates with audiences around the globe.”
The 97th Academy Awards will be held in March 2025.
