Indian cinema has another film in the race for the 99th Academy Awards, and this time the spotlight is on Nagaland.
Theja Rio’s debut feature film Angh, set in Nagaland, has secured a route to the 2027 Oscars International Feature Film category after winning the prestigious Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film became the first Indian title to win the Platform Prize.The development comes days after Marathi film Gondhal was selected as India’s official submission for the International Feature Film category. However, a new Academy rule has created another pathway for films to enter Oscar consideration independently of their country's official selection.
What makes Angh's Oscar journey different?
Under the new rules for the 99th Academy Awards, a non-English-language film can qualify for consideration by winning one of six designated prizes at major international film festivals.
These include the Golden Bear at Berlin, the Best Film award at Busan, the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the Platform Prize at Toronto and the Golden Lion at Venice.
With Angh winning TIFF's Platform Prize, the film has secured this independent route into the International Feature Film race.This means India has two films in the Oscar race this year — Gondhal as the country's official submission and Angh through the new festival-prize qualification route.
A story rooted in Nagaland
Directed by Naga filmmaker Theja Rio, Angh is set in the 1960s in Nagaland.
The film follows an ageing Konyak village chief and his son as their traditional way of life faces profound changes with the arrival of an American Christian missionary.The film features Indigenous Naga actors alongside Scottish actor Douglas Henshall and explores themes of tradition, faith, family, cultural identity and a changing world.
Theja Rio's feature debut
Angh marks Rio's feature directorial debut and grew from a short film he made earlier.
Its victory at TIFF has brought international attention to a story centred on a community and culture rarely represented on the global screen. The TIFF jury praised the film for its distinctive perspective and filmmaking vision.
Gondhal remains India's official entry
While Angh has secured Oscar eligibility, it is important to note that Gondhal remains India's official Oscar submission for 2027.
The Marathi film, directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected from 33 submissions by the Film Federation of India.Therefore, Angh is not replacing Gondhal. Instead, both films can enter the Academy's International Feature Film selection process through different routes.
When will the Oscar nominations be announced?
The Academy's International Feature Film process will determine which eligible films advance to the shortlist and eventually the final nominations.
The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027.
