TEHRAN -- The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has granted a production license to “Muhammad (S)”, an international film project which will be directed by renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi.

A screenplay must be approved by the Culture Ministry to obtain a production license in Iran.

In addition, the film’s producer must apply for a screening license from the ministry for a domestic or foreign premiere.

“Muhammad (S)” will depict the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) from the age of 12 until his appointment to prophethood.

The screenplay of the film has been written by Majidi and children’s filmmaker Kambuzia Partovi over the past three years.

Majidi and children’s filmmaker and screenwriter Kambuzia Partovi have written the script for the film based on in-depth studies of historical texts and by consulting with many ulama in several countries.

The movie will be shot by three-time Academy Award winning Italian director of photography Vittorio Storaro on locations in Iran and three other countries, which still remain unspecified.

Majidi along with a number of his assistants and Storaro are currently looking for locations.

Miljen Kreka Kljakovic, world-renowned Croat production designer will be collaborating on this project.

The film will be distributed in three languages: Persian, Arabic and English.

Director of the Oscar-nominated feature “Children of Heaven”, Majidi plans to hire the world’s heavyweights in the film industry for his film.

It is expected the film will be world’s biggest project on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S), experts say.

Syrian filmmaker Moustapha Akkad’s “The Message”, also known as “Muhammad, Messenger of God”, is the most notable film ever produced in the world about the Holy Prophet (S).