Guwahati: Assam-born filmmaker, writer and actor Rajdeep Choudhury’s film A Teacher’s Gift has been selected for the 41st Guadalajara International Film Festival in Mexico, where it will be screened on April 24 as part of the Premio Maguey section, one of the festival’s prominent competitive strands.
Regarded as one of the leading film festivals in Latin America, the Guadalajara International Film Festival has, over the years, showcased a diverse range of global cinema and emerging voices, making it a significant platform for international filmmakers. Each year, it draws a wide international audience and showcases films across multiple competitive and non-competitive sections.
Directed by Artur Ribeiro of Portugal and produced by Eric Ollerenshaw of the UK, A Teacher’s Gift features an ensemble cast including Anjali Patil, Dhruv Sehgal, and Varun Buddhadev, alongside Choudhury, who also serves as the film’s writer and lead actor.
Originally from Silchar in Assam, Rajdeep Choudhury has previously appeared in Hindi films such as Jack & Dil, alongside Amit Sadh, Arbaaz Khan and Sonal Chauhan, and Mister Mummy, featuring Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh. His journey – from Northeast India to the UK and now onto an international platform – adds a personal dimension to the film’s growing global presence, reflecting the increasing visibility of regional voices in contemporary cinema.
Before its selection in Guadalajara, A Teacher’s Gift had already built a steady presence across the international festival circuit, with official selections at Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa, International Film Festival of India, and the IRIS Prize Film Festival, where it screened in competition. It also won Best British Asian Feature Film of Bridging Cultures at UK Asian Film Festival in London 2025.
Following its screening at the IRIS Prize Film Festival, Jacquie Lawrence, a former content executive at Channel 4 and producer, said: “Beautifully atmospheric and much needed story from and for the South Asian diaspora.”
The film has also been selected for the Unrestricted View Film Festival, a BIFA-qualifying festival, making it eligible for consideration at the British Independent Film Awards 2026. In addition, it was included in the WAVES Bazaar film market, connecting it with industry professionals and expanding its reach within global networks.
At its core, A Teacher’s Gift explores relationships, identity, and emotional connection through a character-driven narrative set within everyday life, with a focus on subtle storytelling and lived experiences.
Speaking about the selection, Rajdeep Choudhury said: “Bringing A Teacher’s Gift to an international audience at Guadalajara is a deeply meaningful moment for me. The story is rooted in personal experiences, and to see it travel across cultures and connect with diverse audiences is both humbling and encouraging.”
The film’s selection adds to the growing presence of voices from Northeast India finding space within global cinema platforms, marking another moment of international recognition for talent emerging from the region.