Dubai Film Development Committee Sets Strategic Focus To Grow Dubai Film Sector

The Dubai Film Development Committee has held its first meeting, setting out how it plans to support Dubai’s expanding film sector. Members agreed key priorities, including clearer processes for productions, stronger industry coordination, and targeted support for talent, to reinforce Dubai’s role in the global screen industry and wider creative economy.

Discussions at the session centred on how to build a more efficient film ecosystem that responds to practical needs. Participants examined current strengths of Dubai’s media landscape and explored ways to enhance collaboration, develop skills, and scale production activity, while ensuring that the sector remains sustainable and aligned with broader economic goals.

The Dubai Film Development Committee was created under Dubai Media Council Resolution No. (8) of 2025, issued by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in November 2025. The body is responsible for supporting the industry with tailored services, better access to facilities, and improved coordination with both government and private stakeholders.

Under this mandate, the Dubai Film Development Committee is expected to work closely with studios, production companies, and training providers. Planned activities include specialised training programmes, coordination of filming requirements with key authorities, and structured pathways for emerging filmmakers to gain experience, build portfolios, and connect with regional and international partners.

Chairman Issam Kazim underlined that the Dubai Film Development Committee will concentrate on translating strategy into measurable outcomes. He noted an early emphasis on nurturing local talent, building pipelines for skills, and aligning different public and private entities so that film projects can proceed more smoothly across the emirate’s regulatory and logistical landscape.

Issam Kazim said: "The committee will focus on how its mandate is delivered across key areas, including developing specialised training, streamlining production and filming processes, in addition to strengthening cooperation and partnerships with local and international production companies, as well as with government entities and leading filmmakers, both individuals and institutions. The committee’s initiatives will serve to complement the growth of an economy driven by creativity and technology," he further said.

Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, said the Dubai Film Development Committee is central to advancing the leadership’s vision for Dubai’s creative economy. Nehal Badri highlighted that the film industry is one of the most promising parts of the media sector, offering wide growth potential and supporting the emirate’s ambitions in knowledge-based economic activity.

According to Nehal Badri, film now holds a larger place in Dubai’s media landscape, helping economic diversification, skills development, and international collaboration. Nehal Badri stressed the need to align policy, infrastructure and industry requirements through a coordinated approach, while positioning Dubai as a preferred global base for media production and creative work.

Nehal Badri also pointed to Dubai’s strengths as a production hub, including advanced digital infrastructure, a flexible regulatory environment, efficient logistics, and its geographic position linking regional and global markets. These elements, Nehal Badri said, support scaling up film production, encourage long-term sector growth, and enable deeper engagement with partners across borders.

Vice Chairman Hesham Al Olama told the meeting that the Dubai Media Council had ensured a diverse mix of expertise when selecting members of the Dubai Film Development Committee. This diversity, Hesham Al Olama said, is important for achieving the sector’s strategic objectives, as it brings together different perspectives from culture, aviation, transport, security and other areas.

Hesham Al Olama added that close coordination among the entities represented on the Dubai Film Development Committee is expected to create a more supportive environment for filmmakers. This collaboration should strengthen Dubai’s position as a preferred destination for international productions and help attract new investment, opening further opportunities for expansion and steady progress within the film sector.

The first meeting of the Dubai Film Development Committee included representatives from several key Dubai entities, reflecting the cross-government approach to film development. These members bring operational knowledge from their organisations, which will be important for streamlining filming permits, location access, customs requirements, travel arrangements, and other services linked to production logistics.

With the Dubai Film Development Committee now active, work is set to advance on clearer procedures, better training options, and broader cooperation across government and industry. These steps are designed to strengthen Dubai’s film ecosystem, increase its international appeal, and support the long-term development of the emirate’s wider creative and knowledge-driven economy.

With inputs from WAM