Ben Sturgulewski, Afghanistan, Germany, United States, 2024, 80 min, in Farsi Dari and English, with English subtitles, Toronto Premiere

Heartland IFF 2024, Winner, Audience Choice Award; Official Selection: Tribeca FF 2024, DC/DOX FF 2024, Denver FF 2024, Austin FF 2024

Showtime: Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 5:30

In the remote mountain villages of Bamyan, Afghanistan, a newfound passion for skiing attracts young athletes from rival ethnic groups to 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.

In “Champions of the Golden Valley,” filmmaker Ben Sturgulewski masterfully captures the thrill of a sports rivalry intertwined with the poignant narrative of a community grappling with profound change – revealing what it means to be a champion, in all its forms. 

Trailer: