From a small Indian state with virtually no formal film industry and the rugged mountains of indigenous tribes comes a historic moment. Marking its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Angh, from Nagaland, clinched the prestigious Platform Prize on September 21.
The prize ensures direct eligibility for submission to the Academy Awards 2027. As per TIFF and the Academy's rules, a non-English language film that wins the Platform Prize can be submitted for consideration for Best International Feature Film.
Helming Angh is London-based 31-year-old Nagaland native Theja Rio, making a remarkably striking feature directorial debut.
Angh explores the identity crisis of a Konyak tribal leader in Nagaland. The film triumphed over works by eleven world-renowned directors for the Platform Prize. The section featured 12 handpicked entries selected from over 4000 submissions across nearly 90 countries.
Set in the 1960s in a Naga village bordering former Burma, the film unfolds as an American missionary arrives in the community. As most villagers convert to Christianity and leave for greener pastures, the village leader, Angba, holds fast to his ancestral customs and traditions. His only companions are his ailing wife and a mute son.
Isolated and adrift, the family faces a poignant existential crisis. As the English language begins to eclipse their own dialect and the villagers drift away from traditional rituals, Angba experiences deep psychological turmoil.
The narrative captures the myriad challenges rural life faces amidst inevitable change, serving also as a deeply moving story about the bond between a father and son.
Originally released as a short film made in 2021—which won an award at France's Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival—Angh has now been expanded to a 103-minute feature length. Shot on 16mm film, it stars Anglong Konyak as the village chief, alongside Amah Konyak, Sobino Rengma, and Jenpai Konyak. Scottish actor Douglas Henshall portrays the American pastor.
Henshall is globally acclaimed for his role as Detective Jimmy Perez in the British crime drama series Shetland (2013–2025).
The screenplay was co-written by Theja and James Davis. Polish cinematographer Adam Pietkiewicz handled the film’s visuals, with editing by Tania Chhabria and music composed by Sagar Desai. Sound design was led by Susmit Nath and Anuroop Kukreja.
"This film is my tribute to the tribal people of my homeland who live quiet, untold lives. I wanted to tell the world that they lived here—and continue to live here. That was the purpose behind this cinema. This success belongs to the cooperation and love of so many people," Theja said while accepting the Platform Prize.
While other entries from India did not win awards, films like Half by Samjad, Dorothy by Kartik Subbaraj, and Phoolan by Richie Mehta earned warm acclaim from the audience.
In other highlights, La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, took home the People's Choice Award, while Simon Stone's Elsinore won the International People's Choice Award.
Organisers announced that the 52nd edition of TIFF will run from September 9 to 19, 2027.