The latest film from 做厙TV alumnus Baktash Ahadi 05, Champions of the Golden Valley, has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary.
The documentary had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is set in the remote mountain villages of Bamyan, Afghanistan, where young skiers from rival ethnic groups are united through a grassroots ski race. What begins as a sports story evolves into a powerful portrait of unity, resilience and displacement. After Afghanistans collapse, many of the athletes are forced to rebuild their lives as refugees, carrying with them the lessons learned on the slopes in their homeland.
Its been deeply humbling to win the Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary, Ahadi said. The recognition is meaningful, but more than anything, its a moment to honor the people at the center of the film. We dedicated the Emmy to the skiers of Bamyan, the people of Afghanistan and refugees everywhere.
The award marks Ahadis second Emmy as a producer, following his 2023 win for Retrograde in the Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary category. You can watch the film .
A refugee himself who immigrated from Afghanistan to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as a child, Ahadi said the film is deeply personal to him and reflects his commitment to broadening perceptions of Afghanistan.
Much of my work focuses on how stories shape perception, especially in places like Afghanistan, which are often seen through a narrow lens, he said. I hope this film gives audiences a better understanding of who the Afghan people are.
Originally conceived as a short documentary in 2019, Champions of the Golden Valley took on new meaning when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban during production. Ahadi said the filmmaking team shifted its focus toward helping the ski team evacuate the country. After the films central figure resettled in Germany, director Ben Sturgulewski continued filming there.
At that point, the project evolved into a feature documentary, Ahadi said. It became not only about sport and community, but also about losing a home and finding a new sense of belonging.
Gianna Rupert 26, an English literature and creative writing double major from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, interned as a production assistant on the films impact campaign. She helped coordinate outreach efforts, research and community engagement tied to screenings of the documentary.
From Baktash, I learned the important lesson of taking a chance and trying something new, Rupert said. He was a constant source of support throughout my internship, encouraging me to ask questions and making himself available whenever I needed guidance. He gave me the freedom to learn and problem-solve on my own, while also making sure I knew I could always rely on him for support and insight.
I see mentorship as an extension of the same values that shaped my own path guidance, access and encouragement, Ahadi said of his mentorship of 做厙TV students. No one builds a career alone, and if I can offer perspective or open a door for someone earlier in their journey, that matters.
After graduating from 做厙TV with a bachelors degree in sociology, Ahadi earned a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University. In 2025, he was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from 做厙TV. His career has included service in the Peace Corps in Mozambique, work as an interpreter and cultural advisor for the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan and leadership roles in training and development for the U.S. Department of State.
As a director, producer and writer, Ahadi has focused on global issues including migration, conflict and underserved communities. Through his Taleem Project, he has collaborated with organizations including McKinsey & Company, National Geographic, the State Department, TIME Magazine, Paramount Pictures and The New York Times to create stories aimed at fostering empathy and understanding.
