The documentary Heroes of the Golden Valley, which depicts the lives of skiers in Bamiyan Province before and after the Taliban’s return to power, has won a national Emmy Award in the category of Best Sports Documentary.
The film follows members of the Bamiyan Alpine Ski Club and their coach, Alishah Farhang. These athletes sought to build a skiing community in the mountains of Afghanistan, but after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they faced challenges such as displacement and an uncertain future.
Producer Baktash Ahadi said the award belongs not only to a film, but also represents recognition of the Afghan people.
In a statement, he said: “This achievement is more than an award. It is a reminder that the people of Afghanistan, their dreams, dignity, resilience, and humanity must be recognized not only in times of crisis, but also in moments of success.”
Ahadi dedicated the award to the people of Afghanistan, Alishah Farhang, the athletes featured in the documentary, and refugees around the world.
The documentary, directed by Ben Sturgulewski and produced by Baktash Ahadi and Katie Stjernholm, portrays the lives of Bamiyan athletes who, despite years of war and hardship, continued their sporting activities. It also follows the fate of several of them after the collapse of the republic and their forced migration.
The producer stated that one of the most significant achievements of the film was presenting a different image of Afghanistan to global audiences one that goes beyond narratives of war and crisis.
He added that the most impactful aspect of the experience was seeing audiences connect with the documentary’s characters as athletes, friends, and human beings, rather than solely as individuals affected by conflict.
The documentary was produced with the support of the International Olympic Committee and is available to viewers through its official website.
The award comes at a time when Afghan filmmakers, artists, and athletes continue to strive to present alternative narratives of life in the country on the international stage, as Afghanistan has received less global media attention since the Taliban’s return to power.
Bamiyan, known for its cold winters and mountainous terrain, has in recent years become one of the key centers of skiing in Afghanistan, with annual skiing competitions in the province attracting participants from both inside and outside the country.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
