Abu Dhabi developing major studio complex by 2025

Plans are currently underway to build a major studio complex in Abu Dhabi by 2025.

News of investment in the UAE capital comes as Saudi Arabia gains momentum in attracting international productions. 

Abu Dhabi has previously hosted major Hollywood franchises such as Dune, Star Wars and Fast and Furious.

Media and production hub twofour54 Abu Dhabi said that the production facility, twofour54 Studios, will span more than 100 acres and comprise 11 soundstages, an exterior water tank and six versatile standing sets.

In a statement, the company said: “Twofour54 Studios will be a future-proof, virtual production-ready, metaverse-enabled and fully-fledged production destination, addressing high demand in the regional and global production landscape."

The studio lot will include office space, as well as post-production facilities, and screening rooms.

While Saudi Arabia is indeed gaining traction with a host of projects, Abu Dhabi is not far behind courtesy of its rebate of up to 30% on qualified spend. In addition to Hollywood productions, the city has attracted major Bollywood projects such as Tiger Zinda Hai and Bharat - both starring megastar Salman Khan.

“The creative industries have been identified as one of Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors given the important economic and social value they create,” said Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, CEO of twofour54 Abu Dhabi parent company ADNEC Group in the statement. “We are proud to drive Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a leading global destination for content creation through twofour54 Studios. It will take film and TV production to the next level, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy following its completion in 2025.”

“Twofour54 has facilitated thousands of productions over the last 15 years, establishing a compelling track record and building a deep expertise of the global film industry’s demands,” noted twofour54 CEO Mark Whitehead. “Leveraging this invaluable experience, twofour54 identified an opportunity in the MENA region – the demand for an integrated, future-ready production destination,” he added.