It was a monumental achievement for India on Thursday as the short film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know,” directed by Chidananda S Naik, bagged the prestigious first prize at La Cinef for Best Short Film. Naik, a student of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, captivated the jury with his unique tale revolving around an elderly woman who steals a rooster and plunges an entire village into darkness.
The film’s triumph quickly garnered widespread acclaim from notable figures in the Indian film industry. Prominent actors Yash and R Madhavan, along with FTII, applauded Naik’s remarkable accomplishment on social media. Yash shared his excitement on Twitter, writing, “Proud to see you take Kannada folklore to the global stage and set new benchmarks for Indian cinema,” alongside his heartfelt congratulations.
Even more elated was the FTII community. “Many congratulations @Chidanandasnaik for winning the La Cinef Award for Best Short Film at Cannes for ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’! Proud to see you take Kannada folklore to the global stage and set new benchmarks for Indian cinema! pic.twitter.com/gi072JMCFK,” FTII shared on social media.
The winners of the 27th La Cinef were announced on May 23 during a grand ceremony at the Bunuel Theatre. Chaired by a jury comprising Lubna Azabal, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, Claudine Nougaret, Paolo Moretti, and Vladimir Perisic, the awards highlighted the global prowess of up-and-coming filmmakers. Naik, hailing from Mysuru, had shared his perspectives and experiences on making the 15-minute Kannada short film with The Hindu in an interview ahead of the festival.
He recounted the hardships faced during production, describing it as a race against time and elements. “We just got four days to shoot. Shooting entirely at night with limited resources was tough, further amplified by the difficult geography of the location. Public transportation wasn’t accessible, so everyone had to carry equipment throughout the night with a minimal crew. Those four days were gruelling, with everyone exhausted and tired, yet driven by an unwavering passion,” Naik explained.
An outpouring of congratulations followed the announcement of the award.
. Among those was a heartfelt message shared on social media: “Congratulations to Mr. Chidananda Naik and to the entire team for this very prestigious honor. May this be just the beginning of an illustrious career with many more extraordinary recognition and love. ❤️❤️❤️🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/jXspX8IOkc.”
Naik, who transitioned to filmmaking from his previous career as a doctor, produced the film as a part of his one-year course in the television wing of FTII. Drawing from Kannada folklore, “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” continues Naik’s mission of turning Indian myths and folktales into compelling cinematic experiences. The film’s technical finesse is attributed to the collaborative efforts of Suraj Thakur (cinematography), Manoj V (editing), and Abhishek Kadam (sound design).
As the La Cinef jury unfolded their decisions, the field of talented filmmakers saw further commendations. The joint second prize went to “The Chaos She Left Behind” by Nikos Kolioukos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Greece) and “Out the Window Through the Wall” by Asya Segalovich (Columbia University – US). Meanwhile, the third prize was awarded to “Bunnyhood” by Mansi Maheshwari (National Film and Television School, United Kingdom).
This year’s splendid representation at Cannes reflects the growing influence of Indian independent cinema on the global stage. Adding to this triumph, Chidananda Naik’s success with “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” not only underscores the rich tapestry of Indian folktales but also signals a burgeoning era for Indian filmmakers worldwide. The global platforms such as La Cinef recognize fresh, dynamic voices in cinema, and Naik’s victory marks a significant milestone in Indian cinematic history.
With inputs from ANI, the Cannes 2024 awards ceremony has indeed underscored an exceptional moment for Indian cinema. For many aspiring filmmakers, the journey and achievement of Chidananda S Naik serve as an inspirational chapter of perseverance, creativity, and the undying spirit to narrate stories that bridge culture and imagination. The accolades await, and the journey ahead holds endless possibilities for the cinematic transformations of India’s myriad tales.
