Written by new-contact on Dec 12, 2013. Posted in Incentive News

Study for Dubai Film and TV Commission recommends formal filming incentives

A new study for the Dubai Film and TV Commission has advised the emirate city to consider formal filming incentives as part of a wider strategy to boost its production industry. Offering longer-term residency to production crew is also suggested.

The white paper report is called Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa Media Production Market. Dubai is covered as a case study, given that the city has made great strides with studio infrastructure development and the establishment of the Dubai Film and TV Commission.

Unlike Abu Dhabi, Dubai doesn’t offer a formal filming incentive, but has a track record of negotiating generous tailored packages to specific productions.

“Dubai has become the regional trailblazer for the media industry in recent years, benefitting both the emirate and the UAE at large,” said Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission: “The opening of the sound stages at Dubai Studio City and the inauguration of DFTC have been major achievements in recent years. But we must always look to the future and to what comes next.”

Dubai has become the regional trailblazer for the media industry in recent years, benefitting both the emirate and the UAE at large.

Jamal Al Sharif, Dubai Film and TV Commission

“Initial analysis suggests that Dubai is stronger than its regional peers in certain areas, such as quality of locations and production infrastructure, and through the findings of this white paper the emirate will be able to build on its blueprint for success to further a proven commitment to film and TV making,” said Jeff Youssef, Associate Partner at Oliver Wyman, which carried out the study.

To read The Location Guide’s interview with Jamal Al Sharif click here.