Theja Rio wins TIFF Platform Prize for Angh, celebrating Naga storytelling and dedicating the international honour to people back home
DIMAPUR — Nagaland filmmaker Theja Rio has won the Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for his film ‘Angh’.
The award was announced at TIFF on Sunday. The Platform jury, headed by Argentine filmmaker Pablo Trapero, praised Angh' for its “refreshing perspectives, strength of filmmaking, and deeply resonant portrait of a world”.
The jury also commended Rio for his “vision, audacity, and courage” in making the film.
Accepting the award, Rio spoke about what it meant for a film from an indigenous region, told in a tribal language, to be recognised at one of the world’s major film festivals.
“It means the world to us that we’re here, that we get to represent ourselves,” he said, thanking the festival, jury and everyone who worked on Angh.
Also read: Nagaland: Theja Rio’s ‘Angh’ goes global; to be screened at Toronto International Film Festival
Rio dedicated the award to people back home in Nagaland.
“I’m from a small town in the northeast of India where dreams don’t often come true for my people,” he said.
“So if I may, I’d like to dedicate this award to everyone back home. This is just the beginning,” he added.
Angh was one of 12 films selected for this year’s Platform programme, TIFF’s only juried competition. The section celebrates filmmakers with distinctive voices and strong directorial vision.
The winning film receives the Platform Prize trophy and a cash award of CAD 20,000.
TIFF has also been designated as one of six international film festivals with a direct pathway to the Oscars. As a result, the festival said the Platform Prize win gives a non-English-language film direct eligibility for consideration for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
The Platform jury this year comprised Trapero, Amma Asante, Sylvia Chang, Luc Déry and Albert Lee.
In his acceptance speech, Rio took time to acknowledge the people who helped bring Angh to the screen, beginning with his parents and girlfriend Andrea.
He also thanked the film’s team, led by Nancy, along with its cast and crew.
“I stand on the shoulders of each and every single one of you,” he said.
Rio thanked TIFF and festival figures Robyn, Anita and Cameron Bailey, as well as the jury and those who supported the film, including film curator Meenakshi Shedde, Charlotte Mickey and Mark Glassman.
“To my friends and family back home, thank you for your unwavering support,” he said.
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