Dubai Studio City announced to boost film and broadcast production industry

To be built within the Dubailand complex, Dubai Studio City will offer a complete technical and community infrastructure for the film, TV and music production industry to flourish.

The latest initiative from the Dubai Holding Group, Dubai Studio City aims to build a large cluster of companies from across the industry value-chain. These include production companies, support service providers offering production and post-production facilities, animation studios and services like dubbing, makeup, costume designing, stage designing and building, casting, telnet agencies as well as telecine and lab facilities.

Dubai Studio City will feature a Broadcast Centre housing offices and post-production studios and a Business Centre for freelancers. It will also have a Production Studio Complex that will accommodate pre-built studios, sound stages, workshops, backlots and stage areas. The infrastructure for the first phase of the project will be completed by the first quarter of 2006.

Companies can build their own studios and facilities in custom-sized plots in the City. The cluster will also house film and television schools and academies and companies providing location shooting, location management services and music recording services.

The announcement of the Dubai Studio City initiative comes on the heels of the rapid expansion of the broadcast and film sector in DMC as well as the success of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) held in December 2004.

"The film and broadcast production sector holds considerable promise for UAE and the region," said Ahmad Bin Byat, Director General of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone. "There has been growing interest from the Hollywood and Bollywood film industries in Dubai as a shooting location. The objective of Dubai Studio City is to facilitate the creation and development of a world class infrastructure and environment in Dubai to foster the growth of the television, film and music industries in the region," he added.

"There has been considerable demand from broadcast and film production companies in DMC for more production facilities," said Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City. "Today there are more than 120 channels operated by 40 broadcast companies based in Dubai Media City. Currently only about 20 percent of the production work of these companies is done in Dubai. As much as 80 per cent of these companies are looking to do their production in Dubai itself. Dubai Studio City is creating infrastructure and capacity to cater to this demand," he added.

Dubai Studio City will tap into the rapid growth of the film industry in a region extending from the Middle East to the Indian sub-continent. Globally the film industry is estimated to grow from $65 billion in 2003 to $87.6 billion in 2005. The region's share of the 2005 industry will be $22.6 billion.

The Middle East region alone produced 115 films in 2003. Out of them, 76 came from Iran and 22 from Egypt. India produces more than 1000 movies every year.

The new initiative has already evoked strong interest from several companies both within and outside the Dubai Media City community.

"Studio City will provide a world-class technical infrastructure, as well as the required support services to establish the industry such as location management services and Business center for freelancers." said Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Director of Dubai Studio City. ""Dubai Studio City will also be responsible in ensuring that the environment is conducive for attracting the right talent," she added.

Dubai Studio City will provide a single window for applying for production permits and visas. A fast-track immigration process will enable crews to get visas quickly. This service will allow companies to recruit talent easily. Besides, flexible labour laws ensure that the industry's needs for part-time and temporary requirements are met.

The community infrastructure provided by Dubai Studio City will include entertainment areas including movie theatres and retail spaces. There will be hotels and residential facilities to accommodate crews and casts.

Proximity to Dubailand will give producers a tremendous choice of outdoor locales including the Dubai Sports City, Entertainment World, Dubai Bazaar, Dubai Downtown, the Autodrome, Arabian Ranches, Aqua Dubai and Dubai Bazaar.

The City will provide the same benefits that companies in the other entities of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone enjoy. These include 100 % tax exemption for 50 years, 100 % ownership of their business, 100% repatriation of capital and profits and no Currency Restrictions, serviced offices, land on lease, a one-stop-shop of support service and simplified licensing and incorporation.