Dubai scripts film hub plan

A Dubai Film and TV Commission has been set up by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, to monetise the emirate’s cosmopolitan and scenic character. Shaikh Hamdan’s decision appoints the head of Dubai Studio City as chairman of the commission, which shall include members from the following entities: the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the Department of Economic Development, the Dubai Police, the Dubai International Film Festival, the Dubai Media Office, Emirates airlines and Jumeirah Group. According to the decision, the commission would outline a strategy to increase local production and to attract international production in both the film and TV sectors — in such a way that it aligns with Dubai Strategy for 2015 and contributes to the GDP — to develop human resources and to promote Dubai as a premier location for media production that would contribute to the tourism sector. One of the other main commission objectives is to outline a mechanism to decrease the cost of media production in order to enhance Dubai’s position both regionally and internationally. This shall include developing and managing an incentive scheme to attract foreign film and TV production as well as fostering local units. Another area of focus will be ensuring efficient and smooth processing of permits throughout the city, for both private and public locations, through better coordination between government entities and private companies to facilitate shooting processes. The commission shall create and attract required human resources for the media production sector as well as develop talent in science, technology and innovation. In order to accelerate the implementation of the desired goals and monitor its objectives, the commission shall put in place clear assessment indicators in the areas of tourism, GDP contributions, talent development and attraction, promotion of Dubai as a location and production hub. Shaikh Hamdan’s decision states that the Dubai Film and TV Commission will be the only entity authorised to issue media shooting permit requests in Dubai, and shall coordinate and align with government entities and private developers in order to fulfil the objectives of the commission. The decision should be executed from the date of issuance and shall be published in the official newspapers. Local filmmakers say that the newly set up commission will certainly benefit them. Nayla Al Khaja, independent Emirati filmmaker and CEO of D7 Motion Pictures said: “Film commissions are extremely important for any city. It is like Yellow Pages for anyone who wants to know anything about the cinema scene in Dubai. The rate of film production here in the UAE is very low at the moment and there is no consolidated information about films being made here as well. The commission will attract several international producers and it will basically create attractive incentives as well.”