Director Abteen Bagheri Signs with Serial Pictures for Commercials and Music Videos

Iranian-American writer and director Abteen Bagheri has joined production company Serial Pictures for commercial, branded entertainment and music film representation in the US and UK. Abteen works internationally across commercial and music films, narrative fiction and documentary, pushing the realms of reality with his playful approach and deeply human cinematic poetry as he arrives at a complex tone blurring the lines between realism and the bizarre, comedy and drama.

A rising influence in the industry, Abteen has developed a prolific body of commercial work with brands such as Google, Apple, Mercedes Benz, Samsung, Nike, Smirnoff, Adobe, Lexus and many more.

“Abteen embodies raw cinematic talent with his unique creative writing, sharp eye for casting and humorous allegorical world building. He has the uncanny ability to find poetry in the mundane as he portrays the nuances of human behaviour through their endearing traits, insecurities and remarkable strengths,” said Serial Pictures founder Violaine Etienne. “We are thrilled to welcome him to Serial Pictures and to support the ongoing evolution of his career.”

View his reel here.

“Honestly, this is a match made in heaven,” said Abteen. “I’ve respected Serial’s roster for a long time and admire Violaine’s visionary leadership. Together, I know we can create lasting, boundary-pushing work. I can’t wait.”

Most recently, his music video “HEADSPACE/Bent” for artist Benjamin Earl Turner saw him collaborating with cinematographer Katelin Arizmendi and animatronics artist Alec Gillis of Studio Gillis. The comedy-thriller-fantasy film, which features an impressive seven-foot animatronic as Turner’s accomplice, won Best Hip Hop Video at the 2023 UKMVAs and was shortlisted at SXSW’s 2024 Music Video competition.

An avid musician, Abteen began his directing career helming music videos for artists such as A$AP Rocky, whose “Peso” video earned him a UKMVA Best New Director nomination. Following this, Abteen released the documentary short, ‘THAT B.E.A.T.’, which premiered at Sundance, and was an official selection at SXSW.

Originally from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Abteen graduated from Stanford University studying Creative Writing and English Literature.

He currently resides in his hometown, where is editing his new feature-length music film.