Sejal Maurya’s Sabor De Goa to Premiere at Two Student Film Festivals in the US and India

Sejal Maurya’s Sabor De Goa to Premiere at Two Student Film Festivals in the US and India

Sejal Maurya’s Sabor De Goa, a documentary exploring Goa’s vibrant street food culture, is set to have its world premiere at the IVCCD Student Film Fest on October 17, 2026, at the Marshalltown Community College campus of the Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD), United States. The documentary will subsequently have its India premiere at the AU-International Film & Music Festival (AU-IFMF), scheduled to take place from October 22 to 25, 2026, at AURO University in Surat, Gujarat, India.

The documentary was directed and edited by Sejal Maurya, with Veer Bhaan Singh serving as assistant editor. Veer Bhaan Singh and Prakash Devasi handled cinematography, while Charlize Rangel and Amber Furtado contributed as writers. The film was produced as a final-year project by students of the Mass Communication and Journalism programme at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Goa.

The selection of Sabor De Goa for both festivals marks an important milestone for the student filmmakers, bringing a story rooted in Goa’s culinary traditions to audiences in the United States and India.

The documentary delves into the rich culinary heritage of Goan street food, tracing its historical roots, cultural influences and contemporary transformations. Through immersive storytelling, it examines how street vending emerged as an important socioeconomic practice in Goa, shaped by Portuguese colonial legacies, local traditions and modern globalisation.

The film also explores the growing presence of international street foods, including shawarma, momos and burgers, in Goan urban gastronomy. It examines how these global food trends are becoming part of the local culinary landscape while raising questions about their impact on traditional Goan food practices and culinary identity.

Through conversations with street food vendors, food historians and customers, the documentary highlights the challenges faced by vendors, explores the factors behind the popularity of Goan street food and captures customers’ experiences and perceptions of the local food culture.

The documentary will begin its festival journey in the United States at the IVCCD Student Film Fest on October 17, 2026. Organised by the Iowa Valley Community College District, the festival celebrates student creativity, storytelling, digital media and emerging content creation under the spirit of “By Students. For Students.” It provides a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their stories and share their creative perspectives with wider audiences.

Following its world premiere, Sabor De Goa will make its India premiere at the AU-International Film & Music Festival (AU-IFMF), taking place from October 22 to 25, 2026, at AURO University in Surat, Gujarat.

Organised by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at AURO University, AU-IFMF brings together students, independent creators, professionals and artists from India and around the world. With its theme, “Beyond Borders,” the festival celebrates compelling stories, innovative ideas and original artistic expression while encouraging cultural exchange, creative collaboration and meaningful conversations.

By documenting the people, traditions and changing tastes that shape Goa’s street food culture, Sabor De Goa seeks to highlight a significant aspect of the region’s cultural identity while examining how local food traditions evolve in an increasingly interconnected world.