Melbourne filmmaker Kristina Kraskov discovered a surprising world six years ago: an international Microsoft Excel competition. Her immediate thoughts? Disbelief, followed by a strong desire to capture it on film. Since no movie existed about the intricate art of competitive spreadsheeting, Kraskov took on the project herself, drawn to subjects with “different inner worlds that are a bit unusual on the outside,” much like her short film about a mullet festival.
Her documentary, Spreadsheet Champions, offers a glimpse into this niche arena. It follows six young competitors, aged 13 to 22, as they journey to Florida for the 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship. While the concept might seem unusual, the film highlights Excel’s immense complexity. The average person taps into only 10-15% of its capabilities, but these aspiring champions must master closer to 70%.
The competition, endorsed by Microsoft and orchestrated by Certiport, a performance-based examination provider, is a two-stage event. The initial phase rigorously tests users on formulas, functions, and features through speed and accuracy. The second part challenges their creative application, delving into what Kraskov describes as “understanding the story of the data, or the soul of what it is actually telling you.”
Carmina, a teenage competitor from Guatemala, featured in Spreadsheet Champions.
The championship, running since 2002, uniquely allows participants only one shot at competing. This one-time-only rule creates a dynamic unlike traditional sports, where seasoned athletes often return. “Everyone that’s coming through can never come back,” Kraskov notes.
Filming presented significant logistical hurdles, as competitors qualified in different countries at various times worldwide. Kraskov and her producer, Anna Charalambous, relied on Zoom calls to connect with potential subjects once they secured national victories, strategizing how to film them.
The film spotlights six individuals: Alkimini, 20, from Greece; Braydon, 16, from Australia; Carmina, 16, from Guatemala; De La Paix, 19, from Cameroon, who prepared at school due to lack of personal tech access; Mason, 15, from the U.S.; and Nam, 21, from Vietnam. Kraskov emphasizes the documentary’s aim: to celebrate the competition’s impressiveness, not to mock participants, allowing their diverse personalities—from shy to boisterous—to shine.
De La Paix from Cameroon prepared for the competition at school.
Kraskov and producer Anna Charalambous spent about a week with each competitor in their home countries. They observed daily routines, family interactions, and school life, believing that “people reveal themselves a lot if you just pay attention to how they live their lives.” Parents’ insights were particularly valuable, offering clues to their children’s potential strengths and struggles.
Details about the competition are tightly guarded. Kraskov shared that “Bing,” who oversees the contest, eventually granted them access to retired exam questions. This trust was essential to accurately portray the “complexity of what it is and what they’re doing,” ensuring the film captured the high-stakes nature of the event.
Participation in the MOS Championship offers significant career advantages. Carmina, now 18, is studying mechatronics engineering at university. The film depicts her as a bright, enthusiastic teenager with a fondness for One Direction, who also happens to excel in Excel.
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Revisiting the competition through the documentary allowed Carmina to reflect on her experience. “I tend to doubt a little bit of myself and with that experience [of competing] I learned to just go into it and try things out,” she shared. “It helped me a lot.”
Spreadsheet Champions premiered at SXSW in Texas earlier this year, and five of the featured students are attending the Melbourne International Film Festival. Kraskov hopes the film brings attention to individuals dedicated to less-celebrated pursuits. “Celebrities, musicians and models get plenty of attention,” she says. “But people that dedicate their lives to things that a lot of people don’t care about – I find that so much more fascinating.”
