The UAE has played roles in many a blockbuster movie – owing to its impressive skyline, sprawling desert landscapes and glamorous reputation.
While their are no set ‘regulations’ as to what the UAE offers international movie producers who choose to film here, the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) does offer a number of soft incentives. On their website, their ‘Incentives’ section lists “special arrangements with key industry partners, licensing and fee rebates, or negotiations with service providers”. In Abu Dhabi, international film productions can be offered rebates of up to 30 per cent. This is certainly an appealing option for movie makers.
Scenes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens was filmed in Dubai
However, it’s not just Hollywood big wigs that it appeals to. Having filming take place in the UAE is extremely beneficial to the economy. Not only does it create jobs for the residents and give local talent the chance to work with industry professionals, but it also incites movie tourism.
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While Burj Khalifa is already a tourist hot spot in the UAE, we wouldn’t be surprised if the landmark saw a spike in visitors after Tom Cruise dangled precariously off the world’s tallest building in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
Across the globe, in New Zealand to be precise film tourism has seen a boost in the economy. The Lord of the Rings trilogy boosted visitors to the country by a hefty 40 per cent. Likewise, the Harry Potter series grew visitor numbers by 50 per cent, or more, in each of its filmed locations.
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A study by the UK Film Council in 2010 found that films depicting the UK were responsible for generating around a tenth of overseas tourism revenues – so you can see why Dubai would want to draw in more production crews.
We’ve already seen a few big Hollywood hits filmed in the country in the past few years (of which some of us were lucky enough to be extras in), and it appears it’s going to grow even more.
Here’s seven movies that were filmed in the UAE:
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
The 13th film in the Star Trek franchise came to Dubai to film last year, and issued a casting call to the public for anyone who wanted to play an extra. While the movie is not yet released, you can spot Dubai in the trailer at around the one-minute mark, which seems to have been souped up to some sort of futuristic sci-fi city.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Filming for the long awaited Episode VII of the Star Wars franchise began in April 2014 with massive sets built around Abu Dhabi and the Liwa Desert to create the setting of the planet Jakku in the movie.
Fast and the Furious 7 (2015)
Abu Dhabi can be seen pretty full-frontal in the latest installment of Fast and the Furious. Probably most notably in the scene where Vin Diesel and Paul Walker jump a Lykan Hypersport out of the window of a skyscraper and into another skyscraper.
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Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)
Dubai’s pride and joy – the Burj Khalifa – is the star of this movie, and Tom Cruise scales the side of it like it was a rock climbing wall at his local leisure centre.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
The sequel to the 1987 movie Wall Street, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps features Dubai for the more glamorous shots, where silly money gets spent by silly people.
Syriana (2005)
The movie that earned George Clooney his first Oscar for a supporting role, Syriana followed a CIA agent pursuing targets in Iran – which is in fact, Dubai.
The One That Nearly Was…
Sex And The City 2 (2010)
The raunchy foursome escape the chaos of relationships, and motherhood in New York with some pampering and TLC in Abu Dhabi. However, it actually wasn’t Abu Dhabi. Due to a delay in getting permissions, the UAE scenes were actually shot in Morocco.
