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Champions of the Golden Valley

Play trailer Poster for Champions of the Golden Valley Oct 2025 1h 21m Documentary Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In the remote mountains of Bamyan, Afghanistan, a newfound passion for skiing attracts young athletes from rival villages who showcase their resourcefulness and skill on the slopes. With minimal gear and makeshift wooden skis, the determined ski coach Alishah Farhang organizes a thrilling ski race that fosters camaraderie, joy, and triumph. However, after the shocking collapse of their country, many of the skiers are displaced across the globe as refugees, and must call upon the lessons learned in the mountains of their homeland to find a way forward. The film captures the thrill of a sports rivalry intertwined with a poignant portrait of a community in profound transition -- parallel stories converging to explore what it means to be a champion.

Critics Reviews

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Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 10/12/2024
3.5/4.0
Champions of the Golden Valley is a necessary film that invigorates, challenges, demands thought, and inspires hope. Go to Full Review Soham Gadre Film Inquiry 06/24/2024
For all the shiny camerawork and nicely rendered imagery and the jarring juxtaposition of footage of the Taliban’s and Al-Qaeda’s war with the United States, this documentary tends to treat these nationally catastrophic events as happenstance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 31 Real footage in 1 hour and 23 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in 2025 in color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrating 5 years on: October 31st, 2030!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Champions of the Golden Valley

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Cast & Crew

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Ben Sturgulewski

Director

Katie Stjernholm

Producer

Baktash Ahadi

Producer

Douglas Blush

Executive Producer

Chris Temple

Executive Producer

Zach Ingrasci

Executive Producer
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Champions of the Golden Valley

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the remote mountains of Bamyan, Afghanistan, a newfound passion for skiing attracts young athletes from rival villages who showcase their resourcefulness and skill on the slopes. With minimal gear and makeshift wooden skis, the determined ski coach Alishah Farhang organizes a thrilling ski race that fosters camaraderie, joy, and triumph. However, after the shocking collapse of their country, many of the skiers are displaced across the globe as refugees, and must call upon the lessons learned in the mountains of their homeland to find a way forward. The film captures the thrill of a sports rivalry intertwined with a poignant portrait of a community in profound transition -- parallel stories converging to explore what it means to be a champion.
Director
Ben Sturgulewski
Producer
Katie Stjernholm, Baktash Ahadi
Distributor
Sturgefilm
Production Co
Sturgefilm
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 21m