Abu Dhabi Film Commission Unveils 35% Rebate Programme Enhancements

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), part of the Creative Media Authority (CMA), has announced new changes to its film and TV production rebate program. This means that from January 2025, film and TV production companies can get up to 50% back on their production costs in Abu Dhabi, depending on certain conditions.

In October, the baseline rebate was raised from 30% to 35%. Now, with these new changes, more types of productions will qualify for the rebate. The changes aim to help grow the film and TV industry in Abu Dhabi and bring in more investment.

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One important change is that production companies will get extra financial help if they hire Emirati actors, directors, and other workers. This is to support local talent and tell more Emirati stories. Productions that show Emirati culture, history, and values will also get more support.

Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the CMA, said: “Film and TV production is very important for Abu Dhabi’s creative industries. The new rebate will continue to attract global interest while helping support Emirati culture.”

The new rebate system uses a points-based system. Productions can get extra points for showing UAE heritage or hiring Emirati talent. Productions can get up to an additional 15% rebate, depending on the points they earn.

From January 2025, the rebate will also cover new types of shows, like reality TV, game shows, short films, and animations. The aim is to support more types of content, including the ones that were already part of the program like movies and TV shows.

Another important change is that the rebate’s financial caps have been increased. For example, the amount of money that a production needs to spend to qualify for the rebate has increased from $5 million to $10 million. This will attract bigger projects from Hollywood, Bollywood, and other film industries.

The rebate process has also been made faster and simpler. Production teams will now have 90 days to start their project in Abu Dhabi. They will also get the rebate money faster—within 30 business days instead of 60 days.

Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of ADFC, expressed pride in the changes, especially the support for Emirati talent. He said that these new incentives will help make Emirati stories more well-known around the world.

The positive response to the initial increase in the rebate shows that more people are interested in filming in Abu Dhabi. The new changes are expected to bring even more interest. This is good for local talent, as it provides job and training opportunities.

Bilal Dayani, Chief Operating Officer at Eagle Films Media Production, said that Abu Dhabi is becoming an important place for film and TV production. He believes the new rebate will encourage more projects to be filmed there.

The rebate program also helps local media companies and freelancers. It provides opportunities for young people to get experience in the film and TV industry. The changes are also linked to the UAE’s Golden Visa program, which offers long-term residency to skilled workers.

In the last few years, over 170 major productions have been filmed in Abu Dhabi, including big movies like Dune, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With the new changes to the rebate program, Abu Dhabi is becoming a top place for global and regional film and TV productions.

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