Movie bosses tour Abu Dhabi filming locations
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have showcased the emirate’s filming locations to executives from major film production companies including Disney and Universal Studios.
By Nick Goundry 20 Dec 2016
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have showcased the emirate’s filming locations to executives from major film production companies including Disney and Universal Studios.
The group visited locations like luxury hotel the Emirates Palace and the Formula One racing track on Yas Island.
Abu Dhabi offers a formal 30% filming incentive, which over the past few years has helped attract Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the action sequel Fast and Furious 7.
“Abu Dhabi Film Commission, as part of MZA (Media Zone Authority), has developed a unique combination of experience, infrastructure and incentives that rightly grabs the attention of studios and production houses internationally,” said Jassim Al Nowais, manager of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
“It was an honour to meet these esteemed film industry professionals, show them first-hand our incredible locations and discuss potential projects.”
Abu Dhabi’s appeals are its sleek modern cityscape and desert locations, while the fact that the city itself has not appeared very often on western screens is an attraction for Hollywood producers looking for exotic visuals.
Dubai is also becoming more popular as an international filming location and most recently stood in for a futuristic space port for scenes in Paramount’s Star Trek Beyond.
Countries like South Africa and Morocco remain the established global favourites for desert locations, along with New Mexico in the US. Malta is a regular stand-in for the Middle East.
For more on filming in the United Arab Emirates see our production guide.
Image: Lucasfilm
Abu Dhabi offers a formal 30% filming incentive, which over the past few years has helped attract Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the action sequel Fast and Furious 7.
“Abu Dhabi Film Commission, as part of MZA (Media Zone Authority), has developed a unique combination of experience, infrastructure and incentives that rightly grabs the attention of studios and production houses internationally,” said Jassim Al Nowais, manager of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
“It was an honour to meet these esteemed film industry professionals, show them first-hand our incredible locations and discuss potential projects.”
Abu Dhabi’s appeals are its sleek modern cityscape and desert locations, while the fact that the city itself has not appeared very often on western screens is an attraction for Hollywood producers looking for exotic visuals.
Dubai is also becoming more popular as an international filming location and most recently stood in for a futuristic space port for scenes in Paramount’s Star Trek Beyond.
Countries like South Africa and Morocco remain the established global favourites for desert locations, along with New Mexico in the US. Malta is a regular stand-in for the Middle East.
For more on filming in the United Arab Emirates see our production guide.
Image: Lucasfilm
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