Dubai Film And TV Commission Launches At DIFF
DFTC unveils vision for region’s media industry during roundtable with TV and film leaders
Following an inaugural board meeting in May, the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) officially launched today to promote Dubai as a leading film and production location. The body is now the sole entity authorized to issue audio and visual media production permits for producers of TV, film and commercials wishing to shoot in Dubai.
DFTC was unveiled during a roundtable session hosted by the commission and a panel of key film and TV decision-makers at Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). The event also saw the commission’s branding and website revealed for the first time.
Commenting on the unveiling, Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission said: “Dubai has always been a popular place for film and commercial makers to shoot thanks to its range of locations and sophisticated infrastructure. The number of productions has grown year on year and we have already seen an 8% increase in 2012 compared with 2011, on top of that, production budgets have risen steadily in the past year.”
“The launch of our website will help further drive production as more local and international producers look to develop their projects in Dubai.” He continued, “DIFF provides the perfect platform for us to engage in a dialogue with industry leaders on how we can work together to continue driving the growth of the television and film industry in the emirate.”
With a mandate to increase media production in Dubai, DFTC promotes the emirate as a filming destination for local, regional and international productions across a range of mediums, including film, television, corporate videos, advertisements and online content. As part of this mandate, last week DFTC signed a strategic partnership with MBC Group to occupy the recently established sound stages in Dubai Studio City, further enhancing Dubai as the premiere location for content creation and production.
Moderated by film critic and author Mohammed Rouda, today’s panel discussion featured Mr. Al Sharif; Tim Smythe, CEO and Executive Producer, Filmworks; Fadi Ismail, General Manager, 03 Productions and Group Director of Services, MBC Group; Samr Al Marzooqi, Manager, Dubai Film Market; and Eyad Abdulrahman, Managing Executive Director, Media Relations and Business Development, Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Panellists discussed why Dubai has increasingly become the sought-after filming destination for industry professionals from Hollywood to Bollywood.
DFTC was created in May 2012 by Executive Decree #16 under the directive of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council.
For more information about DFTC, please visit www.dubaifilmcommission.ae
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 13, 2012
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