The Dubai Film and TV Commission, DFTC, the organisation committed to establishing Dubai and the UAE as a premier filming destination for local and international productions, is pleased to announce that it has reduced its processing fees to all filmmakers and producers in Dubai.
In its commitment to ensuring an easy, cost effective and outstanding filming experience to filmmakers and producers, DFTC has reduced the processing fees from Dh800 to Dh500 per application for each project filmed in Dubai. Permit applications must be submitted a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the first filming day, and location fees remain the same as per fees structure on DFTC website.
Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission and Managing Director of Dubai Studio City, said, "One of DFTC's goals and objectives is to develop initiatives to reduce cost of media production in Dubai and with this we are moving in the correct direction. We know that every dirham spent in productions makes a big difference to the producer, whether it's a big budget film, TVC, TV series or a corporate video. We are really keen to provide a filming experience to those producers that is cost effective, inclusive of all facilities they get in well-known production cities and with a full wide range of locations and advanced infrastructure." Jamal added, "The media industry lives off creative and innovative people, hence providing an efficient and flexible film production environment in Dubai is important for the growth of pool of talents. We have an ongoing vision and plan in doing so, and it is essential for us to ease the production process for all filmmakers and producers. We are working on more initiatives to further reduce costs for filming in Dubai, which will be announced in the near future."
Since its establishment in 2012, DFTC has been embracing an ongoing plan to ease film production in the city, and has introduced a number of initiatives and projects to ensure a seamless filming process, and to facilitate the emirate's production industry. Another key initiative introduced by DFTC last year is the Automated Registration System, which was launched in June 2014 to streamline the permit application and approval process for filmmakers through an automated script clearance and film permitting system.
Registration to apply for a filming permit is quick and easy. Applicants will be asked to provide company details, documentation supporting your establishment (e.g. trade license) and passport and visa copies of the named manager on the trade license. Once a request has been approved, the applicant will be sent login credentials via email.
The system will automatically store their information, so the applicant will not be required to re-enter it for each application. Applicants are urged to keep their company information updated in the system, including trade license renewals.