Sphere Abacus (SA) has acquired two gripping feature documentaries that showcase the remarkable endeavours of astronauts in the US space program. Hannah Berryman’s latest film Spacewoman has been acquired for worldwide distribution, excluding North America, while Apollo 1, a Stopwatch Productions, 7T1 Films and Haviland Digital film, has been acquired for worldwide distribution excluding UK, Ireland, France & Germany.

Produced by Keith Haviland (Lancaster, Chasing the Moon, Gazza) and Natasha Dack Ojumu (Undercover: Exposing the Far Right, White Nanny Black Child, Blue Bag Life), Spacewoman, a Haviland Digital production in association with Tigerlily Productions, documents the life and career of retired NASA pilot and US Air Force colonel Eileen Collins. Apollo 1 is also produced by Keith Haviland, alongside Mark Craig (The Last Man on the Moon, Running for the Revolution) and Ansgar Pohle (Riders of Destiny, The Elon Musk Story) and is the personal story of three exceptional astronauts who came together in America’s race for the Moon.

With an astonishing set of archival NASA materials, family footage and intimate interviews, Spacewoman (1 x 95’), which had its world premiere at DOC NYC last November, is a nail-biting tribute to Collins’ trailblazing career and a poignant portrayal of the emotional journey experienced by her family. At a time when women in space was still a controversial subject, Collins smashed many glass ceilings to become the first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft. Set to a moving score by Marcelos Zarvos, Spacewoman is the latest offering from director Hannah Berryman whose other documentaries also focus on influential women – notably Princess Margaret and Coco Chanel. Eileen’s story is a particularly nerve-wracking one that addresses the philosophical question about what level of risk is acceptable in human endeavour. In a Variety interview in March, Berryman said “It was this engrossing story and the fact that she became a pioneer in this new world for women that made me want to make the film… you come out both with an understanding of an incredible woman, and with thoughts about the nature of human risk taking in general, and especially in space.”

With exceptional access granted to the production team, Apollo 1 (1 x 101’) is a story of jeopardy, adventure, tragedy and recovery as told by those closest to the crew, featuring previously unseen personal archive footage. Three pioneering astronauts – Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee were tragically killed when disaster struck on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy during a preflight test in January 1967. The tragedy shook the US space program to the core and left a lasting impact on the crews’ families – and on all space flights since. This feature length film is the latest venture from British director Mark Craig whose spaceflight connections were made when he directed The Last Man on the Moon back in 2014. Apollo 1 is an equally inspiring story of human spirit and the continuation of the quest towards new horizons in space, as a new generation of Artemis astronauts prepare to face the risks in doing so. In his director’s statement, Craig commented “It was during production of The Last Man on the Moon when I first met Martha Chaffee. Her interview left a profound impact on me and the crew. The events surrounding Apollo 1 are a pivotal moment in the history of spaceflight, and we hope that our film conveys the story in a personal, engaging way that connects with audiences worldwide.”

Will Stapley, Head of Acquisitions at Sphere Abacus comments, “We are delighted to bring these extraordinary documentaries to a global audience at a time of reignited international interest in space exploration owing to the Artemis missions. These stories of remarkable astronauts who shaped the future of NASA are powerful and inspiring and are sure to fascinate and inspire viewers as space travel once again turns its attention towards the Moon.”