Indian Film Wins Cannes' La Cinef Award For Best Short

Chidananda S. Naik's short film, Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, has won the first prize in the La Cinef category for Best Short at the Cannes Film Festival. This significant achievement brings attention to a story deeply rooted in Kannada folklore.

Indian Film Won Cannes' La Cinef Award for Best Short

The 16-minute short film is based on popular Kannada folklore about an elderly woman who steals a rooster, causing the sun to not rise. The village is thrown into chaos, and a prophecy is invoked to retrieve the rooster, leading to the old woman’s family being sent into exile. Naik's storytelling and unique cultural perspective have resonated with international audiences, earning accolades at one of the world's most prestigious film festivals.

In an interview with The New Indian Express, Naik expressed his pride in being a Kannadiga and his lifelong dream of making a local-language film. This dream has come true, as his film is now receiving recognition on foreign shores. 

Recognition at Cannes

The La Cinef category, which included 18 student films chosen from 2,263 entries from 555 film schools worldwide, awarded Naik's film the first prize. This accolade comes with a grant of 15,000 euros, providing significant support for Naik's future projects. The second and third prizes, with grants of 11,250 euros and 7,500 euros, respectively, also went to deserving filmmakers, with India's Mansi Maheshwari winning third place for her short animation film Bunny Hood.

When Will Other Winners Be Announced?

The announcement of the La Cinef winners took place on Thursday, May 23, during a ceremony at the Buñuel Theatre, followed by a screening of the winning films. Moreover, the Cannes Film Festival continues with more awards and ceremonies. 

The Un Certain Regard awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 24, with winners to be announced by the jury of this selection in the Debussy Theatre. Additionally, the Closing Ceremony, co-produced by France Télévisions and Brut., will be broadcast live on France 2 on Saturday, May 25. This ceremony will feature the announcement of all award winners from the 77th edition of the festival, providing an opportunity for the global audience to celebrate the best in cinema.