Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hosted a ceremony at the State Banquet Hall in Kohima on Tuesday to honor the team behind the film Angh. The movie recently secured the Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. It stands as the only Indian film selected for the festival's Platform competition.
The film highlights Naga history and culture. It brought international attention to the region. The chief minister praised director Theja Rio for his authentic creative voice. He noted that the film's success proves geography does not limit ambition. Many cast members, including actors from the Mon district, were first-time performers. "Today, we celebrate Theja, Team Angh, our Konyak brothers and sisters, and above all, the confidence, creativity and possibilities of a new generation of Naga youth," Rio said.
The production team included producer Nancy Nisa Beso and executive producer Gaurav Dhingra. Principal actors recognized at the event were Anglong Konyak, Douglas Henshall, Sobino Rengma, Genpai Konyak, Wangton Konyak, and Amah Konyak. Adam Pietkiewicz also received honors for winning the TIFF Variety Artisan Award.
Theja Rio developed the feature after a successful short film version in 2019. He studied directing at the National Film and Television School in the UK before returning to India in 2024. He credited the Konyak community for their guidance on language and customs. "Cinema is not merely entertainment; cinema is memory, and cinema is identity," he told the crowd.
While Angh was not India's official submission for the Oscars, it remains eligible for the International Feature Film category through its independent TIFF path. Officials from the Konyak Union, Naga Students’ Federation, and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation attended the event. The program was chaired by IPR Secretary Orenthung Lotha.
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