“Bringing ANGH home to Nagaland means more than anything else” — Theja Rio
The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) on Tuesday accorded a welcome and felicitation to filmmaker Theja Rio at the Cargo Terminal Area, Airport, Chumoukedima, following his film ANGH winning the Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The programme brought together representatives of various organisations, associations, members of the media fraternity and well-wishers to celebrate the achievement of Rio and the ANGH team.
Speaking at the programme, Theja Rio said bringing ANGH back to Nagaland meant more to him than the recognition received at TIFF. He said the film had been in the making for several years, with most of the cast and crew being from Nagaland.
He said the film was “rooted in Nagaland” and made for the people of Nagaland, adding that the support received from communities across the State had been instrumental in its making. Rio acknowledged the contributions of producer Nancy Nisa Beso, lead actor Anglong Konyak, Sobino Rengma, casting director Bendang Walling, Genpai Konyak, Wangton Konyak and assistant director Lima sanglir, among others.
Reflecting on the making of the film, Rio said working on ANGH had deepened his understanding of Naga culture. He said extensive research, including reading books, watching documentaries and learning about Konyak culture, went into the production to ensure greater authenticity.
He also expressed gratitude to people across Nagaland, particularly the Konyak community and those who supported the production during its shoots at Ghaspani and Phesama.“We have an industry of love, an industry of support and an industry of people who are willing to shed their blood, sweat and tears to support their own people,” Rio said. He said the team would now begin preparations for its Oscar campaign and sought continued support and prayers for the film.
AYO president Petevito Nakhro, in his words of appreciation, congratulated Rio and the ANGH team, saying the achievement reflected their hard work and dedication. He also assured the team of the organisation’s continued support as they proceed with their international journey.
Representing the Chakhroma Public Organisation, vice president Sebastian Zumvu described the achievement as a significant moment for the Naga community, saying ANGH had presented a Naga story to an international audience.
Naga Students’ Federation general secretary Kenilo Kent said the film’s recognition demonstrated the potential of Naga stories and creative voices to reach global platforms. He congratulated the director and the entire team and said the achievement could inspire young Naga storytellers.
Eastern Naga Students’ Federation speaker Molo Phom also appreciated the team for giving prominence to talents from Eastern Nagaland and taking their work to an international platform.
The programme was chaired by AYO press secretary Vitsikolie Kehie, while Rev. Zhau Sanchu, principal of Hope Institute of Theology, Sovima, delivered the invocation. AYO general secretary Vipu Zashumo delivered the welcome address. Representatives of various organisations and associations, churches, community bodies and other well-wishers attended the felicitation programme and extended their congratulations to Rio and the ANGH team.
During a media interaction following the programme, producer Nancy Nisa Beso said ANGH had been selected among 12 films in competition at TIFF from around 9,000 submissions. She said the team was planning an international festival journey before pursuing an all-India theatrical release, with a particular effort to bring the film to theatres in Nagaland.
Beso said the team hoped audiences in Nagaland would experience the film on the big screen rather than on smaller devices. She said the theatrical release in Nagaland was expected next year, tentatively around February or March, followed eventually by a digital-platform release.
Rio, meanwhile, said the film’s journey had also demonstrated the importance of authentic representation, stressing the need for more filmmakers from Nagaland to tell Naga stories from their own perspectives. He said he hoped ANGH would create curiosity about Nagaland among international audiences and encourage people to learn more about the State and its culture.
(Staff Reporter)