University of Westminster alumna Nancy Beso’s film has been awarded the prestigious Platform Award at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026 (TIFF) for her new production, ANGH, placing it on a direct pathway towards consideration for the Oscars 2027 International Feature Film category. The film was selected as one of only 12 titles among 9000 worldwide to compete in the Festival’s Platform Competition, which celebrates distinctive directorial vision and bold storytelling.
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Nagaland - a mountainous state in northeastern India - ANGH follows an ageing Konyak village chief and his son, who remain among the last people holding onto their ancestral faith and way of life as their world undergoes profound change. Featuring an Indigenous Naga cast alongside BAFTA-winning actor Douglas Henshall, the film explores the intersection of tradition, faith, family, memory and cultural transformation.
Directed by Theja Rio and shot entirely on 16mm film, ANGH is an ambitious production rooted in the history, culture and lived experiences of the Konyak community. Two period villages were constructed with the involvement of local community members over approximately six months, recreating a world that has largely disappeared.
About the achievement, Nancy said: "My time at Westminster was much more than an education in filmmaking for me. It opened doors, created opportunities and introduced me to people and conversations that shaped the way I looked at the industry and, ultimately, the kind of producer I wanted to become. Coming from India and building a career across India and the UK, Westminster gave me the confidence to think beyond geographical boundaries and to understand that the stories I cared about could have a place in a much larger world. Looking back, some of the most valuable things I took away from Westminster were the relationships I built, the conversations I had and the encouragement to keep asking questions and finding my own voice. Those experiences have stayed with me throughout my career.”
About the film she added: "To now have ANGH, a film that is deeply personal to me and rooted in my community, premiere at the TIFF and win the Platform Award feels incredibly special. It has opened up conversations and opportunities that I could not have imagined when I was a student. More than anything, it reminds me how far a story can travel when you believe in it and are willing to keep creating opportunities for yourself and for others. I hope the film’s journey can also inspire other young filmmakers from underrepresented communities to believe that their stories belong on the world stage."
Nancy's film directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
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