Champions of the Golden Valley

The Cooper Union Gardiner Foundation Great Hall Forum presents a special screening of the Oscar-contending documentary Champions of the Golden Valley. The film tells the remarkable true story of Alishah Farhang, a driven Afghan Olympic hopeful whose unfulfilled dream sparks a vibrant homegrown ski culture, bringing joy and hope to a new generation. Bringing together young athletes from villages across Afghanistan and utilizing makeshift wooden skis and secondhand gear, Farhang organizes a ski race like no other. The documentary showcases the power of sport to strengthen communities – and how resilience, community and sheer determination can create extraordinary change. One of the year’s most decorated documentaries, the film has garnered 38 Jury Prizes and Audience Awards, including 17 Grand Prizes since its Tribeca premiere. 

The event will be hosted by Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari, with a special appearance by Executive Producer and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. Following the screening, Executive Producer and Tony and Emmy-nominated actor Arian Moayed will facilitate a discussion with Director Ben Sturgulewski and the filmmaking team.

Registration on EventBrite is required. However, an EventBrite ticket does not guarantee entry as this is a first-come-first-served free event.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art