Kannada Short Film Qualifies For Oscars 2025

MUMBAI (ANI) – The Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know is set to compete for an Oscar in 2025. On November 3, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting announced the film’s qualification for the Live Action Short Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Chidananda S Naik and produced by the Film and Television Institute of India, the film has already garnered international acclaim, winning first prize in the La Cinef Selection at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know draws inspiration from Indian folk tales, weaving a story about an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, causing the sunlight to disappear and sparking chaos in the community. A prophecy is invoked to restore balance, and the woman’s family is exiled, forced into a quest to retrieve the rooster and restore order.

At Cannes, the La Cinef Jury praised the film’s rich storytelling and Naik’s exceptional direction. Reflecting on his work, Naik said, “I’ve wanted to tell this story for as long as I can remember. We aimed to recreate the experience of truly living these tales—not just hearing them—and I hope this resonates with audiences worldwide.”

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be held in March 2025.