What To Know
- With dedicated media ecosystems and a growing reputation as a filming and production destination, the country is attracting top global talent and major studios.
- With its expanding media free zones, Hollywood-backed productions, and globally distributed content, the UAE continues to strengthen its status as a leading international center for entertainment and media innovation.
- The UAE is rapidly cementing its position as a global hub for entertainment and media, driven by world-class infrastructure, creative free zones, and strong partnerships with leading American companies.
The UAE is rapidly cementing its position as a global hub for entertainment and media, driven by world-class infrastructure, creative free zones, and strong partnerships with leading American companies. With dedicated media ecosystems and a growing reputation as a filming and production destination, the country is attracting top global talent and major studios.
Abu Dhabi’s media free zone twofour54 and Dubai Media City have become central pillars of this growth. These hubs host major US-based media giants such as CNN, National Geographic, and MTV, offering an environment designed to support creativity, innovation, and international collaboration. Together, they provide advanced production facilities, talent development programs, and business-friendly regulations that appeal to global media players.
Hollywood’s presence in the UAE has grown significantly over the past decade. Renowned filmmaker Michael Bay partnered with twofour54 and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission to shoot large portions of his action thriller 6 Underground across multiple UAE locations. The country has also served as a filming destination for blockbuster titles including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Fast & Furious 7, Dune, and Mission: Impossible – Fallout, reinforcing its reputation as a preferred location for high-budget international productions.
Beyond filming, the UAE is increasingly influential in content creation. Abu Dhabi-based Image Nation has built strategic partnerships with leading American studios such as Warner Bros., Participant Media, and Hyde Park Entertainment. Through these collaborations, Image Nation has co-produced acclaimed films and documentaries including The Help, Contagion, and the Oscar-winning Free Solo. Notably, it became the first UAE company to have multiple productions streamed globally on Netflix.
The UAE’s media ecosystem also focuses on culturally relevant storytelling. Bidaya Media, a UAE-based company, produces Iftah Ya Simsim, the Arabic adaptation of the iconic American children’s program Sesame Street, blending global educational formats with regional culture.
With its expanding media free zones, Hollywood-backed productions, and globally distributed content, the UAE continues to strengthen its status as a leading international center for entertainment and media innovation.
