The film Angh, set against the backdrop of Nagaland, has achieved a major international milestone. Marking the feature directorial debut of Theja Rio, the film won the prestigious Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026. It received the competition’s top prize on Sunday. With this victory, Angh has secured a direct path to eligibility for the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars.
The story of ‘Angh’ is set in 1960s Nagaland. The film revolves around an elderly Konyak village chief and his son. Both are among the last few striving to preserve their ancestral faith and way of life amidst a rapidly changing world.
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‘Angh’ was the only Indian film selected in TIFF’s platform competition this year. The platform is one of TIFF’s premier competitive sections, known specifically for directors and films that have a distinct cinematic language and unique storytelling style. Starting this year, the winner of the platform competition receives automatic qualification for consideration in the International Feature Film category of the Academy Awards.
The story of Nagaland in the 1960s
The story of ‘Angh’ is set in 1960s Nagaland. The film revolves around an elderly Konyak village chief and his son. Both are among the last few striving to preserve their ancestral faith and way of life amidst a rapidly changing world. Theja Rio has developed this feature film from his 2021 short film of the same name.
Shot on 16mm film, this movie features BAFTA-winning actor Douglas Henshall alongside local indigenous Naga artists. The film centres on themes such as tradition, faith, family, memory, and the changing cultural landscape. It is produced by Nancy Nisa Beso and Theja Rio. Jungle Book Studio acquired the international sales rights prior to the film’s world premiere at TIFF and is also responsible for its international and domestic distribution.
What did the director say about the success of ‘Angh’?
Following the film’s victory, 31-year-old director Theja Rio described it as an incredibly special moment for himself and everyone associated with the film. He acknowledged that it is rare for a debut film to receive such recognition. According to Rio, he created ‘Angh’ out of love for the place, the people, and the culture he hails from.
He said that while the film centres on the father-son relationship, it also speaks to themes of letting go, our connection to home, and the transience of life. Rio remarked that these emotions are deeply universal and resonate with everyone. Witnessing the film connect with audiences outside his own community was a deeply moving experience for him.
The film’s producer, Nancy Nisa Beso, stated that her collaboration with Theja has been one of the longest and most significant of her career. She mentioned that she had been carrying the project ‘Angh’ with her for several years, transitioning it from a short film to a feature. Throughout this journey, she remained convinced that it was a story that needed to be told—and told in a specific, unique way.
Gaurav Dhingra, the film’s executive producer, said that when he first saw the rushes of ‘Angh’, he felt he was witnessing something rare—a film made by indigenous filmmakers from Nagaland that brings the voice of a community to the global big screen, a community that rarely gets the opportunity to be seen on its own terms in this way.
Dhingra stated that winning the Platform competition and securing a direct path to the International Feature Film category at the Oscars is incredibly special for Angh, its producers, Nagaland, India, and independent cinema. Gaurav Dhingra has previously been associated with films such as Peddlers, Faith Connections, Stolen, and Angry Indian Goddesses. He expressed pride in having the opportunity to bring a story deeply rooted in its origins to a global audience.
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