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Kannada short film qualifies for 2025 Oscars
The film follows the plot of a village that faces darkness when an elderly woman steals a rooster, invoking prophecy and turmoil.
Poster and set from 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' / Image - X/ FTIIOfficial
A Kannada language short film from India has qualified for the 97th Academy Awards aka the Oscars in the Live Action Short Film category.
‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’, directed by a student of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) previously earned global recognition by winning the first prize in the La Cinef Selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
It follows the life of an elderly woman who disrupts village life by stealing a rooster, leading to a mystical cessation of sunlight. The community’s turmoil forces the woman’s family into exile on a mission to retrieve the rooster, as an ancient prophecy hangs over them.
“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”, director S Naik remarked.
Filmed entirely at night, “Sunflowers” reflects India’s cultural landscape and folk traditions, which Naik’s direction emphasizes through evocative visuals and storytelling. The Cannes La Cinef jury praised its "illuminating storytelling" and "keen sense of direction," awarding it first prize for its humor and mastery.
"Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know", an FTII student film, OFFICIALLY QUALIFIES for the 2025 Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category!
— FTII (@FTIIOfficial) November 4, 2024
The film's poignant & profound narrative is centered on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster
(1/3)#FTII #Oscars #LaCinef pic.twitter.com/YNRdV6KwRg
The film has also received acclaim within India, winning the Best Indian Competition award at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. Now, as an Oscar contender, “Sunflowers” will be showcased through special screenings, press events, and Q&A sessions, providing Academy members and global audiences with a glimpse into Indian storytelling traditions.
A proud moment for India!@FTIIOfficial's student film ‘Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know...’ qualifies for 2025 Oscars in the 'Live Action Short Film' category.#SunflowersWereTheFirstOnesToKnow #FTII #Oscars2025 pic.twitter.com/eTUrUYlf2s
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 5, 2024
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