Chidananda S Naik is an Indian doctor-turned-filmmaker from Mysuru, Karnataka, known for his short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... In 2024, he won the first prize at La Cinéf, a sidebar competition for student films at the Cannes Film Festival.[1]
Early life
Born in 1995 in Shivamogga, Karnataka, Chidananda pursued a career in medicine and completed his MBBS at Mysore Medical College.[2] He was inspired by Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990) during this seventh grade.[3] His experiences with patients led him to explore filmmaking. He then enrolled in a Direction course at FTII, Pune and graduated.[1][2]
Career
Chidananda made Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... in four days at the end of his one-year television course in the Film and Television Institute of India. The 16-minute film is based on a Kannada folk tale.[4][5] The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was one of 18 titles judged by a jury of five members, chaired by Belgian actress Lubna Azabal.[4]
Chidananda is the first student from FTII's one-year Television course to win La Cinéf.[1] Commenting on the choice of the jury, director S. S. Rajamouli has rejoiced an Indian short had received it, saying "Indian talent breaching boundaries".[6]
Filmography
- Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... (2023) (short film; 16 min)
Awards
- Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... - 1st prize at LA CINEF 2024.[7]
- Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... - Best Script (Non Feature) at 71st National Film Awards.[8]
- Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... - Winner of Indian Competition at Bengaluru International Short Film Festival 2024.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 MIFF 2024 | Chidananda S Naik: 'Medicine itself drew me towards art; while we delved into anatomy, I often pondered about emotions and feelings'(16 June 2024).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chidananda S. Naik interview: 'My only goal is to make a good film', Sampalli, Shashi. thefederal.com(2024-06-07). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ↑ Kannada short film 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' to be screened in Cannes. The Hindu(2024-05-11). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 India's Chidananda S Naik wins Cannes La Cinef first prize for Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know(24 May 2024).
- ↑ Indian films Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know and Bunnyhood win first and third prize at Cannes Film Festival's La Cinef. The Indian Express(2024-05-24). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ SS Rajamouli REACTS to 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' winning at Cannes 2024: 'Indian talent breaching boundaries'. The Times of India(2024-05-25). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW.... Festival de Cannes(2024-05-21). Retrieved 2024-06-22.
- ↑ 71st National Film Awards| Mysuru's Chidananda S Naik bags another honour after Cannes win. The Hindu(2025-08-01). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
- ↑ BISFF Winners 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-29.