Cannes 2024: FTII Alumnus Chidananda S Naik Receives Cannes’ La Cinef Award for Short Film Sunflowers Were the First Ones To Know

Chidananda S Naik, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, has garnered acclaim at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for his short film titled Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know.... Drawing inspiration from Karnataka folklore, the film delves into the repercussions of an elderly woman's audacious act of stealing a rooster, casting her village into eternal darkness. Premiering in the esteemed La Cinef competition for film schools, this 16-minute Kannada-language masterpiece enraptured audiences with its compelling narrative and meticulous craftsmanship. Naik, accompanied by a dedicated team including director of photography Suraj Thakur, sound designer Abhishek Kadam, and production designer Pranav Khot, showcased their unwavering commitment to bringing this captivating tale to the global stage. Santosh Sivan Receives Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens Tribute at Cannes 2024, Becomes First Asian Cinematographer To Receive This Honour.