Abu Dhabi
Global perceptions of Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, tend to focus on the ultra-modern cityscape, but it also offers an impressive coastline and wild desert. There’s a world-class infrastructure of trained crew and production facilities, including HD-equipped studios that can host large productions.
Abu Dhabi still lacks a filming incentive, but it attracts one or two big Hollywood productions a year. The Mission: Impossible sequel Ghost Protocol visited in 2010 to great fanfare, while past productions include Bollywood film Dabaang and Universal Picture’s The Kingdom. Recently, Bollywood’s legendary Director Priyadarshan filmed the first Malayalam-language film to be shot in Abu Dhabi.
Filmmakers have plenty of support in the city, with Abu Dhabi Film Commission offering assistance with locations, crew and equipment. It also helps communicate with Government agencies and with script clearances.
Images courtesy of Abu Dhabi Film Commission.