What does it truly mean to “stand out”? For the creators of the powerful new feature film Standout: The Ben Kjar Story, the answer lies not just in overcoming adversity, but in exploring deeper questions of identity and belonging.
A New Kind of True Story
From producer Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, A Minecraft Movie) and first-time director Tanner Christensen, Standout tells the extraordinary real-life story of Ben Kjar, a man born with a rare craniofacial condition called Crouzon Syndrome that made doctors certain he would never live a normal life. But Kjar defied every expectation. After being told he’d never play contact sports, Kjar went on to become Utah Valley University’s first All-American wrestler and later a world champion.
But Standout is more than a sports film. It’s a heartfelt portrait of resilience, humor, and the unbreakable spirit that turns pain into purpose. With cinematic vision and emotional honesty, Christensen crafts a story that balances raw vulnerability with moments of triumph that feel universally relatable.
Standing Out on the Big Screen
Winner of the Spirit of Slamdance Award at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival, Standout is already sparking conversations across communities. As it heads to theaters on January 23, 2026, the film carries a message that extends far beyond the screen.
Kjar says wrestling helped him learn to be “disobedient to average”—to reject the pressure to blend in and instead embrace what made him different. That mindset became his path to becoming a champion, both on and off the mat. And it’s that same message that has resonated with audiences in sold-out preview screenings across the country.
Inspiring Lasting Change
While many stories end when the credits roll, Ben Kjar’s doesn’t. Today Kjar travels the country as a motivational speaker, sharing his message with students, athletes, and organizations. His work on and off the screen invites audiences to confront difference not with fear or pity, but with understanding and respect.
The collaboration between Utah filmmakers Tanner Christensen, Jared Hess, and cinematographer T.C. Christensen (The Cokeville Miracle) brings together storytellers known for both humor and heart. The result is a film that challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions about normalcy, difference, and human potential.
Hollywood tends to glamorize and exaggerate its portrayal of real people. But Standout represents a fresh direction that replaces spectacle with sincerity. When it hits theaters in 2026, audiences won’t just watch an inspirational film; they’ll experience a story that stays with them long after the fade to black.
A story that dares us all to stop trying to blend in, and instead to stand out.
Standout opens in select theaters January 23, 2026. Visit StandoutFilm.com to learn more.
