Abbas Taheri

Organized with the support of Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), the Pop Up Film Residency CNC is a tailor-made program supporting Iranian filmmakers in the development of their feature film projects. Held in France over two months, the residency provides a dynamic artistic environment with personalized mentorship and professional exchanges tailored to each project. Committed to empowering singular voices in cinema, this initiative fosters bold storytelling, strengthens global artistic dialogue, and amplifies diverse perspectives in contemporary filmmaking.

ABBAS TAHERI is an Iranian director and screenwriter. He earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in cinema from the University of Art in Tehran. In 2019, he published Festival Gaze, a post colonial study of Iranian cinema in international festivals. Abbas Taheri has written and directed over seven short fiction and documentary films. His latest works, such as Aban(2022) and There is No Friend’s House (2023), both co–productions between France and Iran, tackle pressing problems and the oppression faced by various minorities. These Films are acclaimed at international film festivals such as, Clermont–Ferrand, Oberhausen, Palm Springs, Tallinn Black Nights and Indie Lisboa. He is currently developing his first feature film, Dwellers of the Sea.

DWELLERS OF THE SEA

Set against the unique and harsh landscapes of southern Iran, Dwellers of the Sea is a deeply personal tale about a journey of a resilient woman who defies societal norms to become a sea captain. When a lost love fleeing oppression seeks refuge with her, she faces an impossible choice: to protect her position and pursue her dreams or risk everything to save her and reignite their forgotten love. The sea is a merciless witness, offering freedom and demanding sacrifice.

Abbas Taheri

DWELLERS OF THE SEA

Mentor

Philippe Barriere

All CNC Editions

Sahand Sarhaddi – What Has Passed

Abbas Taheri – Dwellers of the Sea

Baran Sarmad – Mellow Pink

CNC