Abu Dhabi is stepping up its efforts to attract more film and TV shoots to the UAE capital by promoting its new discount, which is now set to amount to up to 50% of eligible spend below the line from January.
After becoming a major Middle East hub for Hollywood and Bollywood production over the past decade, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission announced in October that it had raised its previous discount of 30% to more than 35%. They have now revealed how, on top of the new 35% rebate baseline, productions can reach a total rebate of 50% on principal photography and post-production costs by meeting the new criteria.
These elements include highlighting the UAE’s national history, culture and identity in the production stories; Carrying out full post-production work in Abu Dhabi; Undertaking the main unit production of a feature film in Abu Dhabi and/or filming an entire television series in the Emirate.
The new reduction in Abu Dhabi will also raise the maximum from $5 million to $10 million for the total cash back incentives on eligible production spending that companies from Hollywood, Bollywood, the Arab world and beyond can receive from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
The idea behind this new push is for Abu Dhabi to attract not only more photo shoots, but also different types of productions compared to the more than 170 it has attracted so far.
Mohammed Dubay, acting director general of the Media Creativity Authority in Abu Dhabi, said in an interview: “I believe that the new reduction will open the door to new industries coming and considering Abu Dhabi as a production destination.” He explained that besides feature films, TV series and commercials, they are now looking to attract game shows, reality shows, animation projects as well as short films of all kinds.
“The reception to our initial base increase from 30% to 35% plus in October was very positive, and the team has since seen an exciting increase in interest from around the world, which will no doubt rise again with these additional layers of detail we have done,” he said. Samir Al Jabri, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, “We are announcing now.”
Al Jabri added that besides stimulating Abu Dhabi’s economy, global productions also provide “world-class learning and training opportunities.”
He added: “With more than a decade of experience hosting major global and regional productions, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission team is well-versed in the nuances of film and television production, and has demonstrated over the years the ease of doing business here in Abu Dhabi.” note.
Major Hollywood productions filmed in Abu Dhabi over the past decade include “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “6 Underground,” and “Fury 7,” in addition to films Bollywood hits like ‘Vikram Vedha’, ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and ‘Bharat’.
Hollywood’s latest film was “Dune: Part Two,” which spent nearly a month filming in the Liwa oasis that provides much of the landscape of the desert planet of Arrakis, home to monstrous sandworms.