FTII Student's Film Wins ‘La Cinef’ Award for Best Short at 77th Cannes Film Festival

Directed by Chidananda S Naik and shot by Suraj Thakur, the film captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and skilled craftsmanship.

Chidanand Naik, a student at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), made history as his film "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know" clinched the prestigious La Cinef Award for Best Short at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France. The announcement of the winner took place on May 23, 2024, during the festival, with Naik himself receiving the accolade.

Directed by Chidananda S Naik and shot by Suraj Thakur, the film captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and skilled craftsmanship. Manoj V handled the editing, while Abhishek Kadam took charge of sound design.

This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian cinema, particularly for FTII, which has consistently showcased exceptional talent at Cannes in recent years. "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know" follows in the footsteps of FTII's past successes, including the award-winning film "CATDOG" at the 73rd Cannes Film Festival.

The film tells the story of an elderly woman who stirs controversy in her village by stealing the community's prized rooster. As tensions escalate, a prophecy is invoked, leading to the exile of the woman's family in a bid to reclaim the stolen rooster.

Produced as part of FTII's TV Wing One-year program, the film brought together students from different disciplines, including Direction, Electronic Cinematography, Editing, and Sound. The collaborative effort of Naik and his team exemplifies the Institute's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering creativity.

Naik's journey to Cannes began during his time at FTII, where he honed his skills and earned recognition as one of the 75 Creative Minds at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI). His success serves as a testament to the Institute's dedication to grooming aspiring filmmakers and storytellers.

R. Madhavan, President of FTII, commended Naik and the entire team behind "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know" for their remarkable achievement. He expressed pride in the Institute's legacy of producing world-class talent and congratulated the staff and administration for their role in shaping the future of Indian cinema.

La Cinef, an official section of the Cannes Film Festival, aims to showcase emerging talents from film schools worldwide. Naik's film stood out among 18 shorts selected from over 2,200 submissions from 555 film schools, reaffirming FTII's standing as a premier institution for cinematic excellence.

The recognition of "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know" at Cannes underscores FTII's commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation in the field of cinema. As Indian cinema continues to make waves on the global stage, FTII remains at the forefront, shaping the future of the industry with its groundbreaking work.