The World Culture Film Festival
Founding Director and Head of Programming
The World Culture Film Festival is an international platform dedicated to showcasing global cinema and underrepresented voices in film. Founded in Los Angeles in 2024, the festival brings together filmmakers, cultural leaders, and audiences from around the world to engage with stories rooted in identity, tradition, and lived experience.
As Founding Director and Head of Programming, Sej Saraiya led the vision and development of the festival, shaping its curatorial direction and establishing it as a space for meaningful cultural exchange through film.
Festival Overview
Role and Direction
Saraiya served as Founding Director, Co-Executive Director, and Programming Director, overseeing the development of the festival from inception through execution. Her role included shaping the curatorial vision, building strategic partnerships, and selecting films from over 60 countries.
She led collaborations with institutions including the USC School of Cinematic Arts, which hosted the Opening Night event, and assembled a team of industry professionals to support programming, publicity, and production.
Global Programming
The festival featured a diverse slate of films spanning continents, cultures, and genres, highlighting both established filmmakers and emerging voices. Programming emphasized stories rooted in cultural identity, tradition, and contemporary global experience.
Opening selections included internationally recognized films, contributing to a strong inaugural year and positioning the festival as a growing platform within the global film landscape.
Press & Media Coverage
The inaugural World Culture Film Festival received international media coverage across film, culture, and lifestyle publications.
Cultural Impact
The World Culture Film Festival was created in response to the need for platforms that center cultural storytelling and global perspectives. By bringing together filmmakers, artists, and cultural leaders across disciplines and geographies, the festival fosters dialogue, visibility, and cross-cultural understanding through cinema.
The inaugural festival recognized and celebrated voices shaping culture across film, activism, and the arts, including award recipients such as Quannah Chasinghorse, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, and Pawo Choyning Dorji. Through both its film program and honorary awards, the festival created space for storytelling that reflects identity, heritage, and the evolving relationship between tradition and modern life.
By bridging emerging filmmakers with internationally recognized artists and cultural figures, the festival established itself as a platform for meaningful exchange, positioning cinema as a tool for connection, preservation, and global awareness.