Abu Dhabi is enhancing its efforts to attract film and television shoots to the United Arab Emirates’ capital by introducing an innovative rebate structure aimed at incentivizing productions. Beginning January, the new rebate plan is set to reach up to 50% of qualified below-the-line spending, marking a significant increase from the previous baseline of 30%.
Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has transformed itself as a prime hub for both Hollywood and Bollywood productions. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission, recognizing the need for more competitive incentives, announced this month the initial increase from 30% to over 35%. Production teams may now access rebates up to 50% by meeting specific criteria intended to showcase the UAE’s national history, culture, and identity.
These new criteria include the requirement to conduct full post-production work in Abu Dhabi, as well as filming the principal photography for feature films or entire TV series within the emirate. This move is not just about increasing rebates. The maximum total cashback incentive has also been raised from $5 million to $10 million for qualifying production expenses, providing broader financial support for filmmakers.
"I think the new rebate is going to open up a door for new industries to come and to look at Abu Dhabi as the production destination," said Mohamed Dobay, acting director general of Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority, during an interview. The official emphasized the desire to attract various genres, not limited to feature films and television series, but now extending to game shows, reality shows, animation projects, and shorts.
According to Sameer Al Jaberi, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the response to the initial increase from 30% to 35% was overwhelmingly positive, eliciting heightened international interest. "The team has since seen an exciting surge of interest from across the world, which will no doubt surge again with these additional layers of detail we are announcing now," he stated.
This burgeoning film sector not only aims to stimulate the Abu Dhabi economy but is expected to provide world-class learning and training opportunities through its partnerships with international filmmakers. Al Jaberi reflected on the past decade, noting, "With more than ten years of experience hosting global and regional major productions, the team at ADFC understands the nuances of film and TV production and has proven the ease of doing business here in Abu Dhabi.”
Major Hollywood productions such as "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "6 Underground," and "Furious 7" are just some of the big names to have filmed in Abu Dhabi. Bollywood films like "Vikram Vedha," "Tiger Zinda Hai," and "Bharat" have also called the emirate home for their productions. The most recent addition to this star-studded list is the highly anticipated "Dune: Part Two," which utilized the stunning scenery of the Liwa Oasis, mirroring the desert environment of the fictional planet Arrakis.
With the introduction of these new incentives, Abu Dhabi is poised to not only increase the volume of projects filmed within its borders but can also diversify the types of productions it hosts. This strategic shift is expected to reinforce its position as the leading production center in the Middle East, allowing it to forge stronger ties with filmmakers from around the world.
Overall, the enhanced rebate plan is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to carve out its niche on the global film and television map, leading to endless opportunities for creative talent and industries alike.