From Our Special Correspondent
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.
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.
Originally from Silchar, 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 established a steady presence on the international festival circuit, with official selections at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Lisboa International Film Festival, the 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 the UK Asian Film Festival in 2025.
Speaking about the selection, 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 on global cinema platforms, marking another moment of international recognition for talent emerging from the region.
