Outside the Box [Office] invites you and a guest to attend

A Special Theatrical Screening of the
Oscar-Contending Feature Documentary

CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY

"The Ultimate Underdog Story!" - Variety

 
Executive Produced by SCA Professor Doug Blush,
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai & Arian Moayed (Succession)
Directed, Shot and Edited by Ben Sturgulewski
Produced by Katie Stjernholm and Baktash Ahadi

Followed by a Q&A with EP Doug Blush, Director Ben Sturgulewski
and Producers Katie Stjernholm & Baktash Ahadi

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

The Michelle and Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre, RZC 119
Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts
3131 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.
RSVPs ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE AUDITORIUM.
 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
 

About Champions of the Golden Valley

Here is a sneak peek of the unreleased trailer!

Since its world premiere at Tribeca, CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY has emerged as one of the most decorated documentaries of the year— garnering more than 38 Jury Prizes and Audience Awards, including 18 Grand Prizes.

SYNOPSIS: After narrowly missing his chance to become Afghanistan's first Olympic skier, Alishah Farhang returns to the remote mountains of his homeland to inspire a vibrant new ski culture. Bringing together young athletes from rival villages with makeshift wooden skis and secondhand gear, he organizes a ski race like no other, uniting his community in a moment of joy, hope and triumph. When their world is suddenly upended, he and the athletes must call upon those lessons learned on the slopes to find their way forward.

Champions of the Golden Valley offers an unexpected and visually stunning perspective on the power of sport to strengthen communities, unite cultures, and bring light to even the most unexpected corners of the world. Riveting, uplifting and deeply human— this is a story about how champions can be made by more than medals.

Provided courtesy of the filmmakers. Running time: 81 min.

Follow the film journey @ChampionsDoc on Instagram and Facebook.
Learn more about the film and its impact campaign: https://www.championsofthegoldenvalley.com/
 

About the Guests

BEN STURGULEWSKI (Director, DP & Editor)

Sturgefilm founder Ben ‘Sturge’ Sturgulewski grew up on a rugged and remote island in Alaska’s Aleutian Chain, inspiring a life dedicated to the exploration of the world’s wild side, and the people who call it home. Infused in all aspects of filmmaking as a director, cinematographer, editor, and writer, he’s worked in definitively rough and awe-inspiring conditions around the globe — bringing a unique cinematic perspective to a wide range of filmmaking mediums, be it documentary, narrative, action sports, or commercial production. Champions of the Golden Valley is Ben’s first documentary feature.

KATIE STJERNHOLM (Producer)

Katie Stjernholm is storyteller at heart, a strategist by trade, and a producer in action — motivated by stories worth telling. She has had the privilege of creating documentaries, commercials and impact campaigns for clients including the Smithsonian Institution, World Wildlife Fund, BBC, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Samsung, Exposure Labs, BBC, Discovery Channel, and the Winter Olympics. Her work has been featured in the National Geographic Short Film Showcase and at over 75 film festivals worldwide. Katie holds a B.A. from Pepperdine University and an M.A. from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Born and raised in Colorado, she lives in the mountains outside of Boulder.

BAKTASH AHADI (Producer)

Baktash Ahadi is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, facilitator, and human rights activist. He was born in Kabul in 1981, and his family fled during the Soviet invasion in 1984, starting a new life in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His films have screened at Telluride Film Festival, SXSW, BFI London Film Festival, AFI DOCS, and hundreds of other festivals. These films have won dozens of jury and audience awards, Cinema Eye Honors nominations, short-listed at the Oscars, and the Peabody Award.

DOUG BLUSH (Executive Producer, SCA Professor)

Doug Blush is an award-winning editor, director, producer and writer whose filmography includes 2018 Oscar-winning ICARUS, 2013 Oscar-winning 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, and 2012 Oscar-nominated THE INVISIBLE WAR. He has also been a vital contributor to many Emmy, Grammy and Peabody award-winning films and television shows. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and has been invested in sharing stories about Afghanistan since 2015’s FRAME BY FRAME.

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. The series draws from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here

To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
 

Check-In & Reservations

This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC School of Cinematic Arts operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

This screening is free of charge and open to the public A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Accessibility Needs

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Alessandro Ago, Assistant Dean, Programming and Special Events, at aago@cinema.usc.edu or 213-740-2330. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Parking

NO STUDENT, STAFF, FACULTY OR THEATER PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE ROBERT ZEMECKIS CENTER.

We recommend Parking in the USC Shrine Parking Structure, located 686 W 32nd St. Parking passes may be purchased at the gate. Metered street parking is also available along 32nd street.

The USC Robert Zemeckis Center is located at 3131 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, one block north of Parking Structure D, on the North side of the Shrine Auditorium. The RZC entrance is located at the rear of the building, behind the red fence on 32nd St

Contact Information

Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu