Forgotten Spaceman, the Locarno prize-winning short by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Elham Ehsas, has announced new executive producers as it heads to the Toronto International Film Festival for its North American premiere.
New partners join the film’s festival push
The documentary has brought on Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment as executive producers. The newly credited executives are Sharib Khan and Vikas Kumar of Khan & Kumar Media, together with Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai and Megha Kadakia from Prism Entertainment.
The move comes after the film earned the Leopard of Tomorrow (International Competition) award from the Locarno Junior Jury, and as it prepares for its Toronto bow next month. The film first premiered at Locarno and is now poised for its North American debut.
Production and sales team
Alongside the recently announced partners, the documentary’s executive production credits include Jack Thomas O’Brien of Sixteen Films — the company associated with Ken Loach and Rebecca O’Brien — and Catherine Tschaepe. The film is produced by Lorraine Bhattachary of MonoFilm Productions, with Dheeraj Agnihotri serving as associate producer; Agnihotri previously worked on the film Holy Curse.
International sales and festival strategy are being handled by María Vera of Kino Rebelde.
| Role | Names |
|---|---|
| Executive producers (new) | Sharib Khan, Vikas Kumar; Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai, Megha Kadakia |
| Executive producers (existing) | Jack Thomas O’Brien, Catherine Tschaepe |
| Producer | Lorraine Bhattachary |
| Associate producer | Dheeraj Agnihotri |
| International sales & festival strategy | María Vera (Kino Rebelde) |
Subject and filmmaker
Written, directed and edited by Elham Ehsas, the documentary traces the story of Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s first and only astronaut. Momand travelled to the Mir space station in 1988, at a time when Afghanistan was nearing collapse — a moment that offered a rare symbol of hope. During an orbital call home he became the first person to speak Pashto in space, making it the fourth language ever used aboard the station.
The film, made decades later, follows Ehsas as he uncovers his own unexpected connections to Momand’s life, weaving together themes of home, identity, exile and belonging.
“As we continue sharing Abdul Ahad Momand’s remarkable story with audiences around the world, it’s incredibly encouraging to have such passionate partners alongside us,” Ehsas said. “I hope the film continues to spark conversations about home, identity, exile and belonging wherever it travels.”
Producer Lorraine Bhattachary added that assembling the right team is a vital stage in a film’s journey. “We’re thrilled to reach this next chapter together,” she said.
What this means going to Toronto
The addition of Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment strengthens the film’s backing as it seeks wider international exposure at Toronto. With Kino Rebelde managing sales and festival strategy, the film appears positioned to capitalise on festival momentum built at Locarno.
- Festival trajectory: Premiered at Locarno; North American premiere scheduled at TIFF.
- Creative voice: A personal documentary by Elham Ehsas exploring identity through the lens of Afghanistan’s lone astronaut.
- Industry support: New executive producers and established sales representation aim to expand the film’s reach.
As the documentary prepares for its Toronto screening, attention will be on how international audiences respond to a story that links a Cold War-era achievement in space with contemporary conversations about exile and belonging.
