Abu Dhabi Film Commission

Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) is a government agency formed to support the development of Abu Dhabi's film and TV industry. Its mission is to promote the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a production destination to generate economic benefits for the region and increased job opportunity for its residences. It was established under twofour54 Abu Dhabi in 2009 and is now part of Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority.
As part of their efforts to increase film productions in the region, Abu Dhabi Film Commission provides services to production companies such as location scouting, location surveys, script breakdowns, script approval, customs clearance, digital location library, assistance with film and work permits, and the website hosts an industry directory of local talent and crew.

Incentives

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission offers 35%++ cashback rebate on qualifying productions in Abu-Dhabi.
As of 1 January 2025, productions can receive up to 50% support, based on a clear set of criteria. The enhanced rebate also includes increased caps and a wider variety of production formats


The rebate was first introduced in 2013 and since then, many major projects have benefitted from suppor

Notable Films and Television Programmes made in Abu Dhabi

A list of major productions filmed in Abu Dhabi:


1. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn confirmed that filming had begun in the United Arab Emirates around Liwa Oasis, part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was co-produced in Abu Dhabi with the support of the government’s media arm twofour54, with hundreds of local and international cast and crew converging in the UAE capital.

2. Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
The filming of the movie, which has been named Furious 7, took place in the emirate in April, with the Abu Dhabi dessert, Al Ain City, Jumeirah Etihad Towers and Emirates Palace featured in key scenes.

3. The Bold and the Beautiful (1987 TV Series)
In 2024, scenes will be filmed at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall Promenade and the Skydive Dubai Helipad in Dubai ad well as at Emirates Palace, along the Corniche, Yas Marina Circuit and the Marina in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi-based media company twofour54 provided The Bold and The Beautiful with production services and 15-20 local crew


7. Dune: Part Two (2025)
For Dune: Part Two, a fully functioning village was constructed in the Liwa desert to support the scale of the production, which saw more than 1,000 people on site. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission and Creative Media Authority played a central role in coordinating logistics from accommodation at Qasr Al Sarab to ensuring seamless movement of equipment, cast, and crew enabling 27 days of uninterrupted desert filmin


8. Race 3 (2018)
Race 3 star Salman Khan filmed across six iconic Abu Dhabi locations over 35 days, including Emirates Palace, Yas Viceroy, St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Emirates Steel, and the Liwa Desert. The film’s high-octane action sequences were elevated by close collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, who provided military vehicles and a Blackhawk helicopter under the guidance of stunt director Tom Struther


9. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Tiger Zinda Hai marked a milestone for Abu Dhabi’s film scene with the longest-ever shoot for a Hindi film in the capital spanning 65 days across locations such as the Liwa Desert, Arkan cement factory in Al Ain, and a specially constructed 20,000 sqm backlot. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, twofour54, and the UAE military, the production combined high-end action sequences with cinematic luxury, showcasing the Emirate’s diverse landscapes from desert heat to palace interiors with a crew of 300 from the UAE, India, the U.S., and the U.


10. Al Kameen, Al Kameem (2021)
Al Kameen has become a landmark success for Emirati and Arabic-language cinema, breaking UAE box office records with over 170,000 admissions and ranking among the country’s top five grossing films of the year. Filmed entirely in the UAE with an all-Emirati lead cast and more than 400 crew members, the war drama highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing stature as a hub for high-quality, locally produced content and powerful storytelling grounded in real event
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11. F1: The Movie (2025)
With the films climax at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, F1 The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, brings the thrills of Formula One to the big screen with unprecedented realism. Filmed during real race weekends, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the production pushed technical boundaries—using custom-built F2 cars and miniature camera rigs—to authentically capture high-speed action on one of motorsport’s most iconic track
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12. Now You See Me: Now You Don't, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025)
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the third installment in Lionsgate’s hit franchise, wrapped a fast-paced 13-day shoot across Abu Dhabi, spotlighting the city’s cinematic appeal with scenes filmed at landmarks like Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit, and the Liwa desert. Supported from script to screen by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the production showcased the Emirate’s world-class infrastructure, local talent—including 175 crew members and six young filmmakers—and seamless coordination across key partners, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as a global filming destinatio
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13. 6 Underground (2019)
6 Underground, Netflix’s high-octane action film directed by Michael Bay and starring Ryan Reynolds, showcased the UAE’s cinematic versatility with scenes filmed across Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and the Liwa Desert. The trailer highlights iconic landmarks including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Aldar HQ, Jebel Hafeet, and the sweeping Liwa dunes—demonstrating the UAE’s ability to double as both dramatic and futuristic landscapes in global blockbusters. Supported by twofour54, the 30-day shoot reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a hub for major international production
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14. War Machine (2017 film), War Machine (2017)
War Machine, Netflix’s satirical war drama starring Brad Pitt, was filmed across Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, with local production support from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission. While the UAE’s landscapes were mostly disguised as Afghan settings, the film opens and closes at Abu Dhabi Airport and features a dramatic shootout in Ras Al Khaimah’s old town. With a star-studded cast and over 2,000 local extras, the film marked a major production milestone for the UAE—underscoring its capacity to support large-scale international shoots even when the locations are masked by the narrativ
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References

1. https://www.film.gov.ae/35-rebate
2. https://variety.com/2024/film/news/abu-dhabi-film-commission-rebate-to-up-to-50-production-spend-1236261559/
3. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/abu-dhabi-get-star-wars-844763/
4. https://gulfbusiness.com/abu-dhabi-desert-showcased-as-star-wars-vii-trailer-releases/
5. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/fast-furious-7-filming-well-under-way-in-abu-dhabi-1.685922
6. https://www.broadcastprome.com/news/uae-locations-to-feature-in-the-bold-and-the-beautiful/
7. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mission-impossible-fallout-why-biggest-stunt-saw-abu-dhabi-stand-paris-1130267/
8. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/dune-arrakis-abu-dhabi-liwa-desert-denis-villeneuve-1235070287/
9. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2023/07/01/mission-impossible-stars-reveal-joy-over-filming-at-new-abu-dhabi-airport-terminal/
10. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2024/02/20/dune-part-two-abu-dhabi-desert/
11. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/salman-khan-s-race-3-to-shoot-in-six-abu-dhabi-locations-1.713973
12. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/salman-khan-katrina-kaif-shooting-tiger-zinda-hai-in-abu-dhabis-liwa-desert-1.81883
13. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/2021/12/04/emirati-film-al-kameen-breaks-records-in-the-uae/
14. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2024/04/12/mountain-boy-review-emirati-film/
15. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2025/03/13/f1-movie-trailer-brad-pitt-abu-dhabi-joseph-kosinski/
16. https://www.broadcastprome.com/news/now-you-see-me-now-you-dont-wraps-filming-in-abu-dhabi/
17. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/all-the-uae-locations-spotted-in-netflix-s-6-underground-trailer-1.917869
18. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/first-look-at-brad-pitt-s-war-machine-and-how-abu-dhabi-and-ras-al-khaimah-feature-in-the-film-1.5239

Film organisations in the United Arab Emirates
2009 establishments in the United Arab Emirates
Government agencies of Abu Dhabi