Dubai Film and TV Commission

Dubai Film and TV Commission
Name	Dubai Film and TV Commission
Type	Regulatory and promotional body
Founded	2012
Headquarters	Dubai
Leader title	Chairman
Leader name	(varies)

Dubai Film and TV Commission

The Dubai Film and TV Commission serves as Dubai's official screen-sector facilitator, regulator and promoter, coordinating location services, permits and incentives to attract Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood, Netflix, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Disney, BBC Studios, HBO, Amazon Studios, Apple TV+, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, Skydance Media, Pinewood Studios, MGM Studios and international productions to Dubai. It works alongside Dubai authorities such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and regional partners like Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 to position Dubai within global markets including Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival.

Overview

The commission acts as a single point of contact for location scouting, permits and logistics for feature films, television series, commercials, documentaries and streaming projects from studios and companies such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, MBC Group, Rotana, CNN, Sky Group, Discovery Communications, National Geographic Partners, Canal+, TF1, RTÉ, Telemundo, Univision, Televisa, Grupo Globo, CBC, CBC/Radio-Canada and independent producers. It liaises with municipal authorities like Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality and venues including Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah.

History and Establishment

Established in the early 2010s, the commission was formed amid wider Emirati cultural initiatives alongside institutions such as Sharjah Art Foundation, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and educational partners like American University in Dubai and Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation. Its creation followed precedents set by international screen agencies including Film London, Screen Scotland, New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Los Angeles Film Commission, FilmLA, Hong Kong Film Services Office and Screen Australia to streamline permits and attract co-productions with entities like Berlinale Co-Production Market, EAVE, Sundance Institute and IDFA.

Functions and Services

Core functions include location permitting, crew accreditation, customs facilitation for equipment and liaison with aviation bodies such as Dubai Airports and General Civil Aviation Authority. The commission offers services to producers from studios and broadcasters including CBS, NBCUniversal, Fox Corporation, The CW, CBS Studios', Television New Zealand, SBS Australia, RTVE and independent filmmakers, coordinating with service providers like Panavision, ARRI, RED Digital Cinema, Aaton, Zeiss, Arri Rental and post-production facilities tied to vendors such as Technicolor, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and Company 3.

Notable Productions and Projects

Dubai has hosted international productions such as sequences for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Star Trek Beyond, Furious 7, M.I.2 (Mission: Impossible 2), The Bourne Legacy, Syriana, Sex and the City 2, City of Life (UAE film), and numerous television projects including reality formats from The Amazing Race, Top Gear specials, documentary series for BBC Earth and streaming originals from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The commission has supported commercials and branded content for corporations like Nike, Samsung Electronics, Apple Inc., Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and major sporting events such as Dubai World Cup and DP World Tour broadcasts.

Incentives and Regulations

The commission administers permit systems and collaborates on incentive schemes inspired by models like Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority and international tax rebate programs such as those in Canada (British Columbia), Ireland (Section 481), United Kingdom (Film Tax Relief), New Zealand, Georgia (country), Australia (South Australia) and Spain (ICAA) to attract inward investment from production companies including Legendary Entertainment and StudioCanal. It enforces location restrictions, public safety measures with Dubai Civil Defence and regulatory compliance aligned with media laws overseen by entities such as Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.

Partnerships and Industry Development

The commission partners with film schools and cultural institutions including New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi, MENA Film Academy, Dubai International Film Festival's educational programmes, BPIC (British Production Incentive Committee), European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE), British Film Institute, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences outreach, Cinefizz, Gulf Film Distribution and international broadcasters to develop local talent. It collaborates with private sector partners like Meraas, Nakheel, Emaar Properties, Jumeirah Group and international studios to expand infrastructure such as studio complexes, workshops and post-production labs.

Impact on Dubai's Media Sector

Through facilitating shoots and attracting co-productions from studios, distributors and streamers including Lionsgate, A24, IFC Films, Magnolia Pictures, Studio Ghibli (distribution partners), Gaumont, CJ ENM, Toho, Canal+ Group and broadcasters, the commission has contributed to increased employment for local crews, growth in ancillary services like equipment rental and VFX houses, and boosted tourism linked to screen-driven promotion seen in markets such as United Kingdom, India, Russia, China, United States, Brazil and Germany. Its activity complements cultural initiatives such as Expo 2020 Dubai and helps position Dubai as a global hub for production, post-production and content distribution.

Category:Film commissions Category:Television organizations