A short documentary about Afghanistan's only astronaut has added two new executive producing teams ahead of its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month.
According to Variety, Forgotten Spaceman, directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Elham Ehsas, has brought on Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment as executive producers. The film previously won the Leopard of Tomorrow in the International Competition at Locarno's Junior Jury Awards.
The new executive producers are Sharib Khan and Vikas Kumar of Khan & Kumar Media, along with Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai, and Megha Kadakia of Prism Entertainment. The film is also executive produced by Jack Thomas O'Brien of Sixteen Films, the production company founded by filmmaker Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O'Brien, and by Catherine Tschaepe. Lorraine Bhattachary of MonoFilm Productions serves as producer. María Vera of Kino Rebelde is handling international sales and festival strategy.
The documentary follows Abdul Ahad Momand, who flew to the Soviet Mir space station in 1988 at a moment when Afghanistan was approaching collapse. During an orbital call home to his mother, Momand became the first person to speak Pashto in space, making it the fourth language ever used there. The film follows Ehsas as he uncovers his own unexpected personal connection to Momand's story, threading themes of home, identity, exile, and belonging throughout the documentary.
Ehsas said he was glad to welcome the new partners at this stage of the film's journey. "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 Bhattachary said the team was glad to reach this stage together. "We're thrilled to reach this next chapter together," Bhattachary said. "It's been wonderful bringing these partnerships together, and we're excited to continue sharing the film with audiences as its festival journey continues."
Khan and Kumar described the film as one that reminded them why stories matter. "It uncovers a remarkable chapter of history that many of us never knew existed, while remaining deeply personal and profoundly human," they said in a joint statement. "Beyond the story of Afghanistan's first astronaut, it explores universal themes of memory, identity, belonging and the stories that risk being forgotten."
The film's Toronto premiere will mark its first North American screening after its debut at Locarno.
