Nagaland-set Angh, directed by Theja Rio, has won the Platform Competition at TIFF 2026, making it automatically eligible for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars.
Nagaland-set film Angh, directed by Theja Rio, has won the prestigious Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026. The victory gives the film automatic eligibility for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards under a new TIFF rule introduced this year.
Theja Rio’s feature directorial debut was the only Indian film selected for the Platform Competition at TIFF 2026. The win marks a significant milestone for the film, which tells a deeply personal story rooted in Nagaland and Indigenous Naga culture.
Angh Becomes Eligible For 2027 Oscars
TIFF’s Platform Competition is one of the festival’s major competitive sections and focuses on distinctive filmmaking and strong directorial voices. Beginning with the 2026 edition, the winner of the competition receives an automatic pathway to consideration for the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category.
With its Platform Competition victory, Angh has therefore entered the wider race for the 2027 Oscars.
The film is particularly notable for its Indigenous representation, with Indigenous Naga actors featuring alongside Scottish actor Douglas Henshall.
Theja Rio On Angh’s TIFF Win
Reacting to the victory, Theja Rio described the moment as special for everyone involved with the film. The filmmaker said the team made Angh with a deep connection to Nagaland, its people and its culture.
At the centre of the film is the relationship between a father and son. The story also explores themes of home, letting go and the transient nature of life.
Rio said these emotions are universal and expressed his happiness that the film has connected with audiences beyond the community it comes from.
A Story Rooted In Nagaland
Angh is set in Nagaland and represents a filmmaking voice that has rarely received such prominent international exposure. The film brings Indigenous Naga performers and filmmakers to the forefront while telling a story grounded in the region’s cultural identity.
The project has also been a long-term collaboration for its creative team. Producer Beso said the journey began with the short-film version of Angh before eventually developing into a feature.
According to the producer, the team remained committed to telling the story on its own terms while taking it from Nagaland to an international festival audience.
Gaurav Dhingra Praises The Film’s International Recognition
Executive producer Gaurav Dhingra also highlighted the significance of the film’s TIFF achievement.
Dhingra said that when he first saw footage from Angh, he felt it represented something unusual: a film born in Nagaland and created by Indigenous filmmakers while presenting the voice of a community that has had limited representation on major international screens.
The executive producer described the TIFF win and the film’s direct pathway to Oscars consideration as an important moment for the filmmakers, Nagaland, India and independent cinema.
Angh Joins India’s Wider 2027 Oscars Conversation
The TIFF victory puts Angh into the international awards conversation alongside Gondhal, the Marathi film selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards.
However, the two films reach the Oscars through different routes. Gondhal was selected by the Film Federation of India as India’s official submission, while Angh has earned automatic eligibility for consideration in the International Feature Film category through its Platform Competition victory at TIFF.
The TIFF recognition gives Angh an important international platform as Theja Rio’s debut feature continues its festival journey.
FAQs
Q. What is Angh?
Angh is a Nagaland-set feature film directed by Theja Rio and his feature directorial debut. The film explores the relationship between a father and son while also touching on themes of home, letting go and the passage of life.
Q. What award did Angh win at TIFF 2026?
Angh won the Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026.
Q. Does Angh qualify for the 2027 Oscars?
Yes. Under TIFF’s new 2026 rule, the Platform Competition winner receives automatic eligibility for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars.
Q. Who directed Angh?
Angh was written and directed by Theja Rio.
Q. Where is Angh set?
The film is set in Nagaland and features Indigenous Naga actors alongside Scottish actor Douglas Henshall.
