Forgotten Spaceman adds Khan & Kumar Media, Prism Entertainment as producers

Locarno winner “Forgotten Spaceman” has added Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment as executive producers ahead of its Toronto Film Festival premiere next month. The documentary short, directed by BAFTA‑nominated filmmaker Elham Ehsas, won the Leopard of Tomorrow award in the International Competition at the Swiss festival.

The film tells the story of a forgotten astronaut who disappeared in the 1970s, blending archival footage with new interviews. Its win at Locarno marked the first time a short documentary about space history received the prize, signalling a growing appetite for science‑focused stories. Ehsas has built a reputation for intimate, human‑centered documentaries, and the award has attracted the attention of investors who see potential for wider distribution.

Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment bring both financial support and industry clout. Sharib Khan and Vikas Kumar have produced several award‑winning independent features that have gone on to secure theatrical releases and streaming deals. Their involvement is expected to help “Forgotten Spaceman” secure a North American distributor and negotiate a wider release on major platforms. The producers also have a track record of navigating film‑festival pipelines, which could open doors to additional markets and post‑festival sales.

The Toronto premiere will be the film’s first North American screening. The festival’s audience is known for its appetite for innovative shorts, and the film is slated to compete in the Short Film Competition. If it wins an award, the film could be picked up by a streaming service or a specialty cinema chain. Even without a win, the exposure at TIFF and the backing of Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment could position the documentary for a successful run in the U.S. and Canada, and set the stage for a future feature‑length follow‑up that could explore the broader context of forgotten space missions.