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)
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.
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.
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.
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