Indian Short Film Makes it to the Oscars

Indian cinema continues to make waves on the global stage. The short film, “Sunflowers Were the First One to Know,” has officially qualified for the 2025 Oscars in the live-action short film category.

Based on a Kannada folktale, this 16-minute film narrates the story of an elderly woman’s quest to find the thief who stole her chicken. The film’s recent success at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Short Film award, further solidified its position as a strong contender for the prestigious Academy Award.

Earlier this year, the film also clinched the top prize at the Bangalore International Short Film Festival. The film’s unique blend of storytelling, coupled with its universal themes, has resonated with audiences and critics alike.

This year, India has two strong contenders for the Oscars. “Laapataa Ladies,” directed by Kiran Rao, has been selected as India’s official entry in the International Feature Film category. This film, starring Sparsh Srivatsava, Nitanshi Goel, and Pratibha, has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success.

As the Indian film industry continues to evolve and gain international recognition, these two films represent the diversity and talent of Indian cinema.