From Nagaland to the World: Angh Wins TIFF Platform Award

Director Theja Rio’s debut feature, Angh, has made history as the first Indian film to win the prestigious Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026. The landmark victory automatically qualifies the film for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.

Set in 1960s Nagaland, Angh follows an aging Konyak village chief and his son fighting to preserve their ancestral faith and culture amid rapid societal change. Shot on 16mm film, the production features an Indigenous Naga cast alongside BAFTA-winning actor Douglas Henshall.

"We made Angh with a lot of love — for the place I come from, for my people and for our culture," said Rio following the announcement. "To see Angh connect with audiences beyond our own community has been deeply moving."

Producer Nancy Nisa Beso emphasized the resilience behind bringing the project to life: "There were so many moments when making this film felt almost impossible... I hope this encourages other filmmakers to take that leap and tell stories from their own communities and languages."

Represented for international sales and distribution by Jungle Book Studio, executive producer Gaurav Dhingra highlighted the film's broader cultural impact: "To see a film born in Nagaland, made by Indigenous filmmakers, earn a direct pathway into the Oscars... is deeply moving for independent cinema."

By capturing universal themes of fatherhood, heritage, and identity, Angh brings Nagaland’s rich history to the forefront of global cinema. Photo - Telangana Today