Ocean of Emotions Films is a creative collaboration between independent artists Sholeh Zahraei and Kamil Saldun, exploring unspoken stories, challenging taboos, and engaging with pressing socio-political narratives.

Sholeh Zahraei was born in Iran, grew up in Berlin, studied Film in Amsterdam, and pursued a Master’s in Visual Arts in Cyprus. She has collaborated with esteemed directors such as Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Bahram Beyzaie, and Derviş Zaim. Sholeh is a Berlinale Talents 2016 alumna, and European Film Academy member.

Kamil Saldun, a Cypriot filmmaker, studied History and obtained a Master’s in History Teaching. Actively involved in theatre since 1999 as an actor, he participated in international theatre festivals. Kamil works internationally as a film and video art editor. He is a board member of the Directors Guild of Cyprus.

Since 2011, Sholeh and Kamil have worked as a filmmaking duo, writing, directing, and producing their own films. In 2016, they were selected for a workshop in Cuba under the mentorship of Abbas Kiarostami, where they produced a short film. Their work has been recognized at international festivals. Their film The Hunt is the first Cypriot film to address homophobia and patriarchy from an intersectional perspective, created in collaboration with Cypriot professionals and LGBTIQ+ organizations across the divide.

In 2018, they were selected by curator Nicolas Vamvouklis to contribute to the Imago Mundi Cyprus Collection, part of the art collection of works commissioned and collected by Luciano Benetton on his travels around the world.

In 2024, their short film Gomşu was selected by curators Dr. Yiannis Toumazis and Demetra Ignatiou for the ongoing Cyprus Insula exhibition at the ‘Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation’ in Nicosia.

In 2025, Sholeh and Kamil established their film production company, Ocean of Emotions Films, in Cyprus. They are currently developing their feature project Shepherd Scar in its financing phase, while writing their second feature Linobambaki, both centered on Cyprus’ historical complexities.

Selected Filmography

2020 — The Hunt – Short fiction
2014 — Celluloid Me – Experimental short
2014 — Letters to Cyprus – Short fiction
2014 — The Olive Tree at the Border – Short fiction
2013 — Neighbor / Gomşu – Short fiction
2012 — Granny’s Garden – Short fiction

Selected Exhibitions

2024 — Cyprus Insula, BOC Cultural Foundation, Nicosia
2024 — Heimat, Salon Halit Art, Berlin
2019 — The Thresholds of Life, Paphos
2018 — Imago Mundi: Wonder Island, Salone degli Incanti, Trieste
2017 — So Close Yet So Far, Petach Tikva Museum of Art, Jaffa
2015 — Recorded Memories – Europe. Southeast, NiMAC, Nicosia
2014 — Abandoned, Goethe-Institut, Nicosia
2014 — 13 Countries, 13 Films, Goethe-Institut, Washington, D.C.