Sama Brighton: Champions of the Golden Valley (Afghanistan)

Name: Sama Brighton: Champions of the Golden Valley (Afghanistan)
Start: 2026-06-17T19:00:00+01:00
Location: 70-71 Rose Hill Terrace, BN1 4JL Brighton, United Kingdom

Schedule

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

70-71 Rose Hill Terrace, BN1 4JL Brighton, United Kingdom | Brighton, EN

Come together to see Champions of the Golden Valley – an award-winning documentary that captures the emergence of a homegrown ski culture in the mountains of Afghanistan. Stay afterwards for drinks and discussion.

Showing on Day 3 of the Sama Brighton Film Festival, the film reveals a breathtaking and seldom-seen side of the country — a remote region where joy, resilience, and community are forged on the slopes. After narrowly missing his chance to become Afghanistan’s first Olympic skier, Alishah Farhang returns to the remote snow-capped mountains of his homeland to inspire a vibrant new ski culture. Bringing together young athletes from rival villages with makeshift wooden skis, he organizes a ski race like no other. When their world is suddenly upended, Alishah and the athletes must call upon the lessons learned on the slopes to find their way forward.

“A moving and timely story about what joy and unity look like when everything else is falling apart. I’m proud to support this film and the young people whose courage and spirit it so beautifully captures. ” — MALALA YOUSAFZAI, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

https://www.championsofthegoldenvalley.com/
The first ever Sama Brighton Film Festival takes place from 15-19 June, during Refugee Week, and provides an international platform dedicated to freedom of expression and to amplifying the voices of displaced, diasporic and underrepresented filmmakers. Five nights of features, documentaries and shorts, music and discussion across multiple venues in Brighton and Lewes. Join us!
With thanks to Chalk Cliff Trust and Enjoolata Foundation for their generous support.