Theja Rio’s ‘Ade (On A Sunday)’ wins Royal Stage Large Barrel Short Film Award at MAMI 2024

DIMAPUR — Naga filmmaker Theja Rio has won the coveted Royal Stage Large Barrel Short Film Award at the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) 2024 for his film Ade (On A Sunday).

An update issued on Wednesday informed that the short film was shot on 16mm film at the scenic Pfuchama village of Nagaland, featuring an entirely non-professional cast, including Visalie Kuotsu as Ade and Kedo Kuotsu as Abu.

‘Ade (On A Sunday)’ has it’s narrative set in 2002. It follows the adventures of an eight-year-old Ade and his older friend Abu, who choose a day of escapades over Sunday school. Their innocent fun gradually leads them into an unplanned journey, marking their first, profound brush with the complexities of adulthood.

The film was produced by Nancy Nisa Beso, Theja Rio and Dan Pusa.

Ade (On A Sunday) tells a heartfelt story of a young boy navigating the delicate balance between tradition and faith in his small rural village. The film, celebrated for its nostalgic visual style and authentic storytelling, has previously made waves at international festivals such as Rotterdam, Toronto, Lisbon, and LA, gaining widespread recognition for being the first film in the Tenyidie language to achieve such international success,” the update informed.

The film would be travelling to Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) next.

The Royal Stage Large Barrel Award, a highlight of the MAMI festival, has a legacy of honoring films that push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling while showcasing cultural diversity.