Riz Ahmed Joins Forgotten Spaceman as Executive Producer

Riz Ahmed has joined the executive producing team for Forgotten Spaceman, a short documentary directed by Elham Ehsas, Deadline reported.

The film explores the life of Abdul Ahad Momand, who holds the distinction of being Afghanistan’s first and only astronaut. Momand’s journey into space occurred in 1988 as part of a Soviet mission, a period that the film captures alongside the broader historical shifts occurring within Afghanistan at that time.

Ahmed, who previously won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2022 for The Long Goodbye, noted the film’s ability to humanize a geopolitical narrative through a personal lens.

“Forgotten Spaceman begins with the extraordinary story of Afghanistan’s first astronaut, but Elham makes it deeply personal through his own family connection and experience of displacement,” Ahmed said. “It offers a perspective on Afghanistan beyond the headlines, and it’s been incredible to see the film resonate with audiences around the world.”

A personal connection to Afghan history

The documentary is not merely a historical recount; it is deeply intertwined with the filmmaker’s own lineage. Ehsas’ father was the first individual to interview Momand upon his return to Earth.

Riz Ahmed Joins Forgotten Spaceman as Executive Producer

Ehsas has established a consistent track record with short-form storytelling. His 2024 film Yellow earned a BAFTA nomination and was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. Forgotten Spaceman has already secured Best Documentary at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival and has received a nomination for Best British Short Film at the upcoming 2026 British Independent Film Awards.

“Having Riz come on board is a real honor,” Ehsas said. “He’s spent his career championing stories that might slip through the cracks, elevating distinctive voices and histories the world might otherwise miss.”

Riz Ahmed Boards Elham Ehsas’ Short Film ‘Forgotten Spaceman' https://t.co/o11o59RxNz

— Post by @DEADLINE on X

Production details

The project involves several established independent film entities. Ahmed joins an executive producing cohort that includes Catherine Tschaepe, Sharib Khan, and Vikas Kumar of Khan & Kumar Media, as well as Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai, and Megha Kadakia of Prism Entertainment.

The film is produced by Elham Ehsas of Foreigner Films and Lorraine Bhattachary of MonoFilm Productions, with Dheeraj Agnihotri serving as Associate Producer. The production also counts Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films among its producers, with Jack Thomas-O’Brien representing the outfit. International sales and the film’s festival strategy are managed by María Vera of Kino Rebelde.

High-profile talent drives global film acquisitions

Role	Individual/Entity
Director/Producer	Elham Ehsas (Foreigner Films)
Producer	Lorraine Bhattachary (MonoFilm Productions)
Executive Producer	Riz Ahmed
Executive Producer	Sixteen Films (Ken Loach/Rebecca O’Brien)
Executive Producer	Khan & Kumar Media
Executive Producer	Prism Entertainment
Associate Producer	Dheeraj Agnihotri
International Sales	María Vera (Kino Rebelde)

For American audiences and the broader global film market, the involvement of high-profile talent like Ahmed often serves as a catalyst for SVOD (subscription video on demand) acquisitions. While short films typically operate on a different financial scale than feature-length intellectual property, their success in the festival circuit—including Locarno, Toronto, and London’s LFF—is a primary metric for determining long-term brand equity and prestige for the creators involved.

The film’s festival run is ongoing, with upcoming screenings scheduled at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.

Disclaimer: The cultural analyses and financial data presented in this article are based on available public records and industry metrics at the time of publication.