Abu Dhabi offers attractive rebates to filmmakers; John Abraham and Varun Dhawan starrer Dishoom to be shot there
Abu Dhabi has become the Middle Eastern production hub of choice for filmmakers – in fact Abu Dhabi was the only Middle Eastern city to be listed in the top international filming locations in 2014 by P3 magazine.
Bollywood movies like Bang Bang and Baby, Hollywood movies Fast &Furious7 andStar Wars: The Force Awakens, TV series Bold and the Beautiful, BBC’s Top Gear and many more haveshot in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission,which is part of twofour54, a Media Zone Authority Companyis responsible for all the necessary processes for filmmakers to ensure their experience in the Emirate is of the highest international standard.
Abu Dhabi Film Commission is the central contact for production-related matters in the Emirate and provides the following services in conjunction with twofour54:
• A generous 30% cash-back production rebate* on spend in Abu Dhabi – the only one of it’s kind in the region
• Free scouting assistance to find a diverse range of unique locations; including stunning coastlines with year-round blue skies, wild deserts, amazing oases and iconic modern and Arabic architecture.
• Assisting with the procedures to obtain shooting permits, visas, script approval, and customs clearance;
• Securing of first class studios and post-production facilities at competitive rates as well as experienced professional crew and supplier bases
• Booking of all travel related requirements including flights, accommodation, transport and restaurants
Paul Baker is the executive director of Film & TV services at twofour54, as well as overseeing Abu Dhabi Film commission. In his role, Paul is responsible for the operations and ongoing development of content production in Abu Dhabi. Paul Baker mentioned India to be the production hub with the best quality crew.
The Head of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Michael (Mick) Flannigan, is an experienced filmmaker. Mick has produced over 40 feature films most recently Mick has served as Head of Production for the Hollywood movie “2 Guns”, starring Denzel Washington & Mark Wahlberg,”Escape Plan”, starring Sylvester Stallone & Arnold Schwarzenegger and “Lone Survivor”, starring Mark Wahlberg & Eric Bana. Mick spoke about the Incentive with infrastructure architecture – USD 2.5 billion equipment, with over 300 technicians available in Abu Dhabi.
Kulmeet Makkar In his current role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India ltd highlighted the beauty of location with the friendly people around and releasing a film incentive guide by any producer body with the Booklet as a ready reckon.
Mukesh Bhatt the President of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India ltd, spoke about his upcoming film ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ which is set to release on 12th June, mentions about how filmmaker sees the location with heart. Abu Dhabi is geographically so close to Bollywood that the biggest production house in Asia. Also is culturally well connected. They have so much to offer with variety of locations and other facilities.
The team very proudly announced new Bollywood production ‘Dhishoom’ to shoot the film in Abu Dhabi, ‘Dhishoom’ is directed by Rohit Dhawan, the film is produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a third generation film production company that traces its foundation to a family celebrating over 50 years in the film industry. It will be an Eros International Presentation.
The producer fraternities like Mr. Ramesh Sippy, Govind Nihalani, Manmohan Shetty, Shital Bhatia were also present there.