Filming In Abu Dhabi? Global Production Houses Now Entitled To 35% Cashback Rebate

Abu Dhabi's iconic landscapes, from its majestic palaces and expansive golden deserts to the modern aesthetics of its cityscapes, have become a favoured backdrop for a multitude of acclaimed movies. These settings have been featured in a diverse range of cinematic pieces, from adrenaline-fueled action sequences to captivating narratives that transport audiences to fantastical realms.

Think Dune6 Underground, Star Wars, The Force Awakens, and even Mission: Impossible franchises — the city's unique blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, alongside its natural beauty, offers filmmakers an unparalleled canvas. This versatility has allowed Abu Dhabi to host scenes that leave a lasting impression on viewers worldwide. Whether it's the thrill of a high-speed chase across the city's sleek roads or the allure of its serene desert at sunset, Abu Dhabi provides a setting that enriches every story.

To boost this saga of filmmaking, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), an integral part of Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority (CMA), has unveiled a pivotal development aimed at bolstering the film and TV production industry within the region. According to this plan, the ADFC is set to increase its current rebate offering from 30% to a starting rate of 35% and above.

This enhanced rebate, effective from 1 January 2025, is designed to draw more international productions from Hollywood, Bollywood, and the Arab world to Abu Dhabi. By hosting major productions, Abu Dhabi not only boosts its local economy through increased demand in transport, logistics, and accommodation but also gains unparalleled opportunities to showcase itself globally, thereby benefiting various sectors including tourism.

Mohamed Dobay, the Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority, emphasized the growing significance of the film and production industry under the leadership’s vision. "The importance of the film and production industry continues to grow under the vision and guidance of our wise leadership. We are proud to have been the first destination to offer a rebate scheme and are a regional pioneer with a proven track record.

"The updated financial rebate support will ensure we continue attracting international producers and directors from all over the world and become known as a leading destination for film and TV production both globally and regionally. This new rebate system is based off global best practice and will ensure we bring more of Abu Dhabi to the world through individual content consumption," he stated. This initiative is part of ADFC's commitment to establishing Abu Dhabi as a premier global and regional hub for film and TV production.

The introduction of the enhanced rebate scheme is the first outcome of a thorough review and improvement of all creative industry verticals in Abu Dhabi. The aim is to present an even more compelling proposition for the flourishing industry, which is a vital contributor to the region's economic growth.

"This is the first development resulting from of a comprehensive review and enhancement across all of the creative industry verticals to ensure an even more attractive offering for a thriving industry in Abu Dhabi; an industry which actively contributes to the economy of the region," commented Dobay.

Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, highlighted the scheme's success since its inception in 2013. "Since launching our rebate scheme in 2013, more than 150 major productions have benefited from the offering. This generates a huge impact on our economy as independently verified research shows that for every dirham paid through the scheme, more than three dirhams flows back into the economy through hosting large scale productions in the Emirate.

"Alongside the financial stimulus into the economy, visiting productions provide a tremendous learning and training opportunity for young creatives who are the nation's storytellers of the future, this focus ensures a strong self-sustaining industry. As we near the release of the rebate on 1 January 2025, further information will be shared in the lead up with our existing production industry database," he explained.

Furthermore, Abu Dhabi's expansive media ecosystem is poised for growth through this initiative. The region is home to over 800 locally-based media companies, including more than 300 production-specific firms and a talent pool of over 1,000 freelancers. In addition, young individuals seeking training and internship opportunities, as well as the new golden visa program, stand to benefit. This is supplemented by the state-of-the-art "twofour54 Studios" production facilities, enhancing Abu Dhabi's attractiveness as a production location.

At MIPCOM, running until 24 October, Abu Dhabi's team, along with 14 production industry partners, is showcasing the emirate's diverse and accessible locations. This participation, facilitated by CMA, ADFC, and twofour54, underscores Abu Dhabi's commitment to bridging the gap between public and private sector offerings on a global stage, by promoting a safe and welcoming environment for the world's production leaders.