• THE SESSION DISCUSSED THE ARIEL FILIMING APPROVALS PROCESS AND THE UPCOMING FILMING LOCATIONS IN DUBAI

Dubai, UAE, December 19, 2016:  Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) hosted its last ‘Industry Insider Session’ this year for production houses, location owners, location scouts, and freelancers to discuss and share the latest updates in the production and film industry in Dubai. 

The session was attended by senior officials from DFTC, Ministry of Defense (MOD), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA), alongside filmmakers and producers in Dubai.

During the session, Salim Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Manager of Aerodrome Compliance & Safety oversight at the Aviation & Airports Safety Department in DCAA, discussed the process of Ariel filming in Dubai, where he explained that the approvals need to be obtained from DFTC and MOD first, and submitted to DCAA for a NO Objection Certificate for Aerial filming. The entire approval process requires 7 working days, including DFTC and MOD approvals. 

Saeed Al Janahi, Operations Manager at DFTC talked about the ground filming approvals process, whereby filmmakers and producers need to apply for 2 approvals; a filming permit and a script approval. The filming permit requires 3 working days, whereas the script approval requires 15 working days for feature films and 30 working days for TV series. 

Saeed also talked about the new and trending locations for filming in Dubai, including the Jumeirah Golf Estate. The new location is an unrivalled residential and leisure destination located in the heart of new Dubai Just 15 minutes from Dubai Marina, comprising of 16 unique communities, which overlook two of the world’s finest golf courses, Earth and Fire.

Another key upcoming filming location in Dubai that was under the spotlight at the Industry Insider Session, is ‘Dubai Parks and Resorts’, the largest integrated theme park destination in the region. The Park is home to three world-class theme parks including: Bollywood Parks™ Dubai MOTIONGATE™ Dubai,  LEGOLAND® Dubai and one water park, as well as Riverland™ Dubai,  a uniquely themed retail and dining destination at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and guests can stay at Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

DFTC is committed to establishing Dubai and the UAE as a premier filming destination for local and international productions, hence it constantly showcases the thriving filming locations in Dubai, as well as facilitates all processes and means of ensuring an easy and cost effective filming process to filmmakers and producers in Dubai.

Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission, said: “We are delighted to be hosting our second industry insider session this year, as it is a wonderful opportunity to bring together likeminded individuals in the community to discuss different industry related opportunities and updates. The session this time shed light on key upcoming locations in Dubai, and discussed the approval process of one of the most important and trending filming techniques, the Ariel filming.   

Moreover, with these sessions, we try to reach a consensus on the best way to overcome any challenges that filmmakers face, in order ensure that filming process in Dubai is the easiest, most efficient and is truly an outstanding experience.”

Attendees at the Industry Insider Session also expressed their appreciation of DFTC for hosting these sessions regularly throughout the year.

Penny, from AV Production said: “The Industry Insider Sessions are informative and helpful when planning projects that require permissions and support from the Dubai Film Commission.”

Shane Martin, Chief Executive and Director of BOOMTOWN PRODUCTIONS also said: “I was happy to attend DFTC’s Industry Insider Session and great to see these important industry gatherings happening again. For our industry to grow and thrive, communication and interaction is everything. I was particularly pleased to see Dubai Civil Aviation Authority there and get clarity on drone filming permits and procedures. Looking forward to the next one.”