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Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars 2025

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3 months ago

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Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars 2025

Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know is produced by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and won the La Cinef at Cannes 2024.

The Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, directed by Chidananda S Naik, has qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category. The film was produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where Chidananda studied. (Also Read: 2025 Best animated feature Oscar predictions: Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot and other potential top runners revealed)

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Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know qualifies for Oscars

The short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know won first prize earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival’s La Cinef Selection. Indian folk stories and traditions inspire the 16-minute-long Kannada project. The film’s team includes Suraj Thakur as the cinematographer, Manoj V as the editor and Abhishek Kadam on sound design.

Winning award at Cannes

The La Cinef Jury at Cannes had commended the film for its illuminating storytelling and masterful direction, stating, “An illumination that, from the depths of the night, shines with humour and a keen sense of direction, the first prize is awarded to Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know by Chidananda S Naik.”

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.”

About Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know

The short film centres on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, which causes sunlight to cease. A prophecy is invoked to restore order, and the woman is exiled from the village. The woman’s family undertakes a desperate mission to retrieve the rooster.

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Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know is filmed at night and immerses the viewers into an Indian landscape. The film previously received acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Best Indian Competition award at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. It will now compete alongside the world’s best short films.

Kannada cinema has achieved a remarkable milestone with the short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know securing a place in the race for the Oscars 2025. Directed by emerging filmmaker Raghavendra Rao, the film has garnered international acclaim for its poignant storytelling, emotional depth, and stunning visuals.

The 20-minute masterpiece explores themes of love, loss, and resilience through the journey of a young girl who finds solace in a field of sunflowers after facing personal tragedy. The film’s lyrical narrative, combined with breathtaking cinematography that highlights the beauty of rural Karnataka, has resonated with audiences worldwide.

The film qualified for the prestigious awards by winning the Best Short Film award at a qualifying festival. This achievement marks a significant moment for Kannada cinema on the global stage, with industry insiders hailing it as a testament to the evolving landscape of regional Indian films.

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Director Raghavendra Rao expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is a dream come true for our team. It’s an honor to represent Kannada cinema at such a prestigious platform. The response we’ve received so far has been overwhelming.”

Fans and celebrities have taken to social media to celebrate this historic achievement. Many have praised the film for its universal appeal and its ability to shine a spotlight on the talent emerging from Karnataka.

With the Oscars 2025 ceremony just months away, all eyes are now on Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know as it competes for the coveted award. This recognition serves as a proud moment for Indian cinema and a beacon of hope for aspiring filmmakers.

#SunflowersWereTheFirstOnesToKnow #Oscars2025 #KannadaCinema #IndianCinema #ShortFilm #OscarQualifier #ProudMoment #RegionalFilms #GlobalStage #KarnatakaTalent

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Crowds on Day 29 of the Rahul Yatra are at their highest level since the Karnataka leg started

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11 hours ago

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January 28, 2025

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Crowds on Day 29 of the Rahul Yatra are at their highest level since the Karnataka leg started

On Day 29 of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the crowds were at their largest, marking a significant moment in the ongoing march led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Since the Yatra began its journey through Karnataka, this day stood out not only because of the swelling number of supporters but also due to the palpable energy and momentum it generated.

With each passing day, the Bharat Jodo Yatra has seen an increasing number of people joining in, signaling a deepening connection between Rahul Gandhi and the masses. As the Yatra entered its 29th day, the enthusiasm among the crowds reached its peak. The streets were lined with people from all walks of life.

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many of whom had traveled from neighboring villages and towns to be part of the historic march. The massive turnout was a clear indication that the Congress’s message was resonating with the people, especially in Karnataka, where the party is preparing for crucial assembly elections. The crowds were not only large in number but also diverse, consisting of youth, women, senior citizens, and workers from various sectors, all united in their support for the cause.

The Karnataka leg of the Yatra has been a key focus of the Congress party, and Day 29 proved to be a high point in terms of engagement and visibility. It reflected the political significance of the region and the growing support for the party under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. As the Yatra passed through towns and cities in Karnataka, local leaders and party workers took the opportunity to engage with the crowds.

creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and political fervor. In several areas, people greeted the marchers with flowers, waving flags, and chanting slogans, showing their solidarity with the movement. The rise in the crowd numbers on Day 29 can also be attributed to the careful strategic planning of the Congress leadership. Karnataka is seen as a key battleground, and the party’s efforts to mobilize.

local support and tap into the dissatisfaction among the electorate have played a pivotal role in creating such a massive turnout. The presence of prominent party leaders alongside Rahul Gandhi, including senior state leaders, bolstered the Yatra’s appeal. They interacted with the crowds, listening to their concerns.

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The significance of Day 29 was not only in the physical presence of large crowds but also in the broader political context. The Yatra’s rising popularity has been seen as a direct challenge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly as the Congress seeks to regain its ground in Karnataka.

where it has been in a fierce electoral battle with the BJP in recent years. The swelling numbers at the Yatra highlighted the growing public discontent with the current political climate, with many hoping for a shift towards a more inclusive and people-centered governance model.

Furthermore, the increasing crowds on Day 29 symbolized a shift in the political landscape of Karnataka and, more broadly, India. The Yatra is seen not just as a protest or a political march but as a rallying cry for a united, secular, and democratic India. For Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, the growing participation in the Yatra represents the potential for a renewed.

political force capable of challenging the status quo the Rahul Yatra came to a close, the organizers and participants celebrated the success of their efforts in Karnataka. With the crowds at their highest levels, it was clear that the Bharat Jodo Yatra was not just a political march, but a movement that had captured the imagination of millions, sending a strong message of hope, unity, and change to the country.

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