Kohima: Nagaland officials hosted a major celebration for director Theja Rio and his crew at the State Banquet Hall in Kohima on September 30. The event honored the success of the film ANGH. It recently made waves at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was the only Indian entry in the TIFF Platform Competition. This status qualifies the project for the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards. The crowd watched the film trailer during the event.
Theja Rio spoke to the audience about the power of film. He argued that cinema acts as a bridge for cultural identity. “I hope that ANGH will not simply be remembered as a film that won an award but I hope that it becomes part of a larger conversation around Cinema in Nagaland,” Rio said. He thanked the Konyak community, his production team, and the pioneers who helped him find his path. He insisted that personal stories can cross oceans to reach new people.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio praised the film as a historic milestone. He noted the director’s discipline and growth over the years. The Chief Minister emphasized that a new wave of talent is changing how the world sees the state. He claimed that young Nagas now lead in sports, fashion, and tech. The ceremony featured prayers by Dr. Mhalevilie Sote and appearances from the Naga Students Federation and the Konyak Union. Officials from the Department of Art and Culture, Tourism, and Youth Resources and Sports also held a felicitation ceremony to mark the achievement.
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