Dubai Explores New Film, TV Incentives

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DUBAI: The newly formed Dubai Film and TV Commission is developing incentives to encourage international producers to film in the emirate, as well as schemes to bolster the skills of local crews.

The commission held its first board meeting in Dubai last week under the leadership of chairman Jamal Al Sharif. It aims to increase local production and attract international players from both the film and TV sectors. This includes looking at ways to reduce media production costs in Dubai as well as fostering local talent.

“Dubai’s strategic approach to investment in the media industry has established the city as the regional trailblazer," said al Sharif. "This approach has benefited both Dubai and the UAE at large. With the film industry in Dubai and the UAE on the threshold of tremendous growth, the commission will deliver a much-needed boost to the landscape. Furthermore, the timely decision to establish this body will offer both regional and international filmmakers an enabling platform to film in Dubai, which will in turn drive the growth of the local film and television industry.”

He added, “We also believe that incentivizing film and TV productions targeting international audiences has increased the overall creative talent pool and resulted in ‘fast-track’ development of the resident and indigenous industry. We are confident that the initiatives of the Dubai Film and TV Commission will help develop a rich resource of industry-specific talent in the UAE.”