“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (if you’re a girl)” takes home an Oscar

The film by Grain Media is a short documentary which follows the progress of a group of girls at Skateistan in Kabul. Filmed over the course of a year, Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone follows the girls as they progress both in the classroom and the skatepark, navigating not only the challenges of their education but of the increasingly unstable world outside the walls of Skateistan.

The film focuses on how Skateistan acts as a haven from the outside world for its students. Within the walls of Skateistan, the girls are free to express themselves, learn without fear and to allow their personalities to shine.

Skateistan Founder, Oliver Percovich, had this to say: “We are all so happy to see Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone recognized by the Academy and BAFTA. We see so many negative stories about Afghanistan and this is a story of real hope which can help to challenge perceptions. Here at Skateistan, we’re firm believers that when girls and women are empowered, they can achieve great things. That’s what is demonstrated so well in this film — the story of a group of girls who are defying expectations in Afghanistan, being told by an all-female film crew and getting the recognition it deserves.”

You can support students like the girls in the film by donating to Skateistan, where all proceeds go to supporting students in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa.

Grain Media are also responsible for the the award winning film Skateistan: To Live And Skate in Kabul which was released in 2010. You can watch the film below.