Entertainment DesK:

An Indian short film centering on the story of an elderly village woman who steals a rooster leading to cessation of sunlight and resulting in turmoil within the community, has qualified for the 2025 Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category, the government announced on Monday.

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student’s film “Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know,” directed by Chidananda S Naik had earlier this year won the first Prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s La Cinef selection, which led to global recognition for this Kannada- language project inspired by Indian folk stories and traditions.

The film, produced when Naik was a student at FTII in Pune, showcases the expertise of a talented team, including Suraj Thakur (Cinematography), Manoj V (Editing) and Abhishek Kadam (Sound Design) with a poignant and profound narrative.

After the turmoil in the village following the stealing of the rooster, in an effort to restore order, a prophecy is invoked, resulting in the exile of the woman’s family as they undertake a desperate mission to retrieve the rooster.

The La Cinef Jury at Cannes commended the film for its illuminating storytelling and masterful direction, stating, “The Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know”  “shines with humor and a keen sense of direction.”

Naik said “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.”

Filmed entirely at night, “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” immerses viewers in the heart of the Indian landscape, inviting them to engage with its unique culture and atmosphere.

Having received acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Best Indian Competition award at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival, “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” is now poised to compete alongside the world’s best short films.

The Oscar campaign for the short film will feature special screenings, press opportunities, and question-and-answer events, providing Academy members and audiences worldwide with a glimpse into the power of India’s storytelling traditions.