Sierra/Affinity will commence pre-sales in Cannes on Daily Show presenter Jon Stewart’s feature directorial debut Rosewater.

The OddLot Entertainment project is based on the incarceration by Iranian authorities of BBC reporter Maziar Bahari, who spent 107 days in solitary confinement and was accused of links to Western spies following an appearance on Daily Show.

Stewart adapted the screenplay from Bahari’s book, Then They Came For Me: A Family’s Story Of Love, Captivity And Survival.

OddLot is financing the drama and company founder Gigi Pritzker will produce alongside Scott Rudin and Stewart, while Lila Yacoub and Eli Bush serve as executive producers. UTA represents North American rights.