Nagaland-set Angh secures coveted TIFF Platform berth

Calling the TIFF section “a tremendous honour”, Rio said: “Angh is a story about a people navigating the fragile passage from an ancestral past to an uncertain future. From the very beginning, I hoped the film would travel far beyond the land where it was born, inviting audiences not only into a story, but into the lives of people, their memories, and their relationship with the world around them.”

The co-producer and director believes that film festivals like TIFF have the power to bring underrepresented cultures into the global conversation. “For us, presenting Angh on this stage is about far more than the recognition of a debut feature. It is a moment of visibility for the people, culture, and storytelling traditions of Nagaland voices that deserve to be heard, seen, and celebrated by audiences across the world,” adds Rio, who has done masters in Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School, UK.

Angh features BAFTA Award-winning actor Douglas Henshall (of Shetland and Outlander fame) alongside an ensemble cast of Indigenous actors from Nagaland. “Angh is shot on 16mm and performed almost entirely by non-actors from the region, in a tribal language spoken by fewer than one lakh people. This approach was not a stylistic gesture but a necessity.” shares Rio, who has directed several acclaimed short films, including Checkpost (2018) and Ade (2024).

Platform, TIFF’s auteur-driven competitive section, celebrates distinctive directorial voices. Beginning this year, the winner of the competition will automatically qualify for consideration in the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category. The Platform lineup this year features 12 films, including Amanda Kernell’s Brace Your Heart, Ferit Karahan’s Djinn Wedding, Irene Dionisio’s Idda, Nyla Innuksuk’s In the Heart of the South, Bertil Nilsson’s Masc, Gabriel Martins’ On Behalf of My Son, Lawrence Fajardo’s Silenced Nights, John Trengove’s The Smell of Apples, Yoon Dan-bi’s The World Before, and Jan Holoubek’s Wild Wild East. Children Untold, from Japanese filmmaker Miwa Nishikawa, will open the programme at TIFF Lightbox’s Cinema 1.

Producer Nancy Nisa Beso shares that Angh is the result of an overwhelmingly strong desire to tell stories that belong to Nagaland. “Angh is our attempt to honour our people, preserve the stories of our ancestors, and reclaim our narrative by taking it from the margins to the global stage. What made this journey particularly special was bringing together an extraordinary mix of talent from around the world to tell a story that is deeply rooted in the land, history and culture of Nagaland.”

The film’s international crew includes Polish cinematographer Adam Pietkiewicz, Lisbon-based production designer Margarida Caetano Dias and costume designer Manisha Garg. Makeup designer Priya Lahon has taken special care to ensure authentic depiction of traditional tattoos from Nagaland while Bendang Walling has put together a remarkable ensemble of Indigenous actors. Co-written by James Davis, Angh is produced by Winter Hymns Film and Undercover Squirrel.

Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.