Buffalo 8 Acquires Home Entertainment Rights to “Ghost Elephants”
Buffalo 8 Distribution has secured home entertainment rights to the documentary “Ghost Elephants,” which is both written and narrated by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog. The agreement was reached during the Toronto Film Festival market and involves a partnership with Sobey Road Entertainment for the film’s home release, with details regarding release dates and platforms to be announced later.
The deal was brokered by Buffalo 8 CEO Matthew Helderman and Sobey Road Co-Managing Partner Terrence Battle. Nikki Stier Justice, head of distribution at Buffalo 8, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “Few filmmakers have shaped documentary cinema like Werner Herzog. We are honored to partner on ‘Ghost Elephants’ and help extend the reach of this extraordinary film through home entertainment.”
Overview of “Ghost Elephants”
The documentary follows Dr. Steve Boyes, a conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer, as he embarks on a decade-long quest to find a mysterious, rarely seen elephant population in the mist-covered highlands of Angola. Joining him on this expedition are Kerllen Costa, another National Geographic Explorer, and three KhoiSan master trackers: Xui, Xui Dawid, and Kobus. Together, they blend scientific research with ancient knowledge in their search.
Herzog characterizes the expedition not merely as a hunt for an elusive species but as “an exploration of dreams, of imagination—weighted against reality.”
Film Festival Success and Recognition
“Ghost Elephants” debuted at the Venice Film Festival in 2025, followed by its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and selections at AFI Fest and IDFA. The film garnered a special mention from the FAI Persona Lavoro Ambiente Foundation at Venice and received the Programmers Award for Documentary Feature at the Virginia Film Festival. Herzog’s narration earned a 2026 Emmy nomination for outstanding narrator.
Produced by Herzog and Ariel Leon Isacovitch, the documentary is a collaboration among National Geographic Documentary Films, Sobey Road Entertainment, Skellig Rock, Inc., and The Roots Production Service.
Sobey Road’s Upcoming Projects
In addition to “Ghost Elephants,” Sobey Road’s upcoming slate includes documentaries like “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” in collaboration with ABC News Studios and CBC, “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It,” and “Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes.”
