Angh, Theja Rio’s Nagaland-set feature set in the 1960s, has been selected as the sole Indian entry in TIFF 2026’s prestigious Platform Competition. The juried section celebrates bold directorial vision and distinctive storytelling. With Platform now granting automatic qualification for the Oscars’ International Feature Film category, Angh’s selection marks a major global breakthrough for Rio’s transition from shorts to features.
Angh, a feature film set in 1960s Nagaland directed by Theja Rio, has been selected for the Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026. It is the only Indian film competing in the section this year.
The Platform section at TIFF is a juried competition focused on stellar directorial vision and unique storytelling. Past Platform filmmakers include Barry Jenkins, Bertrand Bonello, William Oldroyd, Pietro Marcello, Alice Winocour, Ben Wheatley, Armando Iannucci, Clio Barnard and Carlos Marqués-Marcet among others.
Starting with the 2026 edition, the winner of the Platform competition will automatically qualify for the International Feature Film Award at the Academy Awards.
Angh, directed and written by Rio, is set against the evocative backdrop of Nagaland in the 1960s. Angh brings a deeply rooted and authentic story from Nagaland to a global stage.
The film is written and directed by Rio, and marks his transition from short films to feature filmmaking. His short films have previously been screened and honoured at several international film festivals.
The TIFF Platform Competition, with its new direct Oscar qualification pathway, gives the film an immediate route to one of the highest-profile international recognitions available to a non-English-language film.
TIFF 2026 is scheduled to take place in Toronto from September 10 to September 20 for its 51st edition. Further details about Angh, including its cast, production team and runtime, have not yet been disclosed by the filmmakers.