Pune: FTII Student Film Wins La Cinef Award at 77th Cannes Film Festival
Pune, 24th May 2024: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has made a significant mark on the global stage as its student film, “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know,” clinched the prestigious La Cinef Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The award was received by student director Chidananda S Naik marking a historic achievement for Indian cinema.
“Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know,” based on folklore from Karnataka, was produced as part of FTII’s year-end coordinated exercise of the TV wing. The film’s recognition at Cannes highlights the exceptional talent nurtured at FTII and the institute’s standing among the world’s premier film schools.
The team behind this award-winning film includes Chidananda Naik (Direction), Suraj Thakur (Camera), Manoj V (Editing), and Abhishek Kadam (Sound). Their collaborative effort has brought immense pride to India and underscored the global relevance of Indian storytelling.
