Angh, rooted in Nagaland's culture, selected for International Feature Film at Oscars 2027

Angh, a feature film rooted in the culture of Nagaland, has been chosen for the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars. Angh, directed by Naga filmmaker Theja Rio, is based on the life of the last surviving chief of a deserted village and the internal conflict he faces between preserving his age-old beliefs and customs and the influence of a missionary.

The film also portrays the process of conversion that perceives the local culture as primitive. Angh won the prestigious Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking a significant milestone for the film, which is set to receive recognition at two of the world's most prestigious stages - TIFF's Platform Competition and the Academy Awards.

Rio, a Kohima-born filmmaker, expressed his gratitude towards the jury for recognizing the film's work and for the opportunity to represent his country and culture on a global platform. The film, almost entirely in Konyak, has been expanded from a short film that won a special jury award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2021.