FTII Student’s Film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” Wins Prestigious ‘La Cinef’ Award at 77th Cannes Film Festival

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th May. In a remarkable triumph for Indian cinema, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student Chidanand S Naik’s film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has clinched the coveted ‘La Cinef’ Award for Best Short at the 77th Cannes Film Festival held in France. The announcement was made official on May 23, 2024, during the festival, where the student director, Chidanand Naik, was bestowed with the esteemed accolade.

Directed by Chidananda S Naik, with cinematography by Suraj Thakur, editing by Manoj V, and sound by Abhishek Kadam, “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” captivated audiences with its poignant narrative. The film narrates the tale of an elderly woman who disrupts her village’s tranquility by stealing the rooster, triggering a series of events that propel her family into exile.

This historic recognition underscores the growing prominence of Indian films on the global stage, with FTII students consistently making waves at international film festivals. Notably, this achievement follows in the footsteps of another FTII student film, “CATDOG,” which clinched an award at the 73rd Cannes Film Festival.

Joining a constellation of FTII alumni shining at Cannes, including Payal Kapadia, Maisam Ali, and Santosh Sivan, Chidanand S Naik’s win signifies a significant milestone for both the institute and Indian cinema. The film’s success is particularly noteworthy as it emerged victorious from a pool of 2,263 submissions from 555 film schools worldwide, securing its place among the 18 selected shorts in the ‘La Cinef’ section.

Underlining FTII’s commitment to fostering cinematic talent, the film was a product of the TV Wing’s One-year program, where students from various disciplines collaborated on a single project. Chidananda Naik, a graduate of FTII’s 2022 batch and a recipient of the prestigious “75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow” recognition at the 53rd International Film Festival of India, exemplifies the institute’s dedication to nurturing young filmmakers.

Congratulating Chidananda Naik and the entire team behind “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know,” FTII President Shri R. Madhavan hailed the achievement as a testament to the institute’s world-class education and the exceptional talent it nurtures. With this accolade, FTII reaffirms its position among the premier film schools globally, propelling Indian cinema to greater heights of acclaim and recognition.