Top US and UK film executives visited Abu Dhabi last week for a showcase tour of what the Emirate has to offer as a filming location for international productions.
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, producers representing Hollywood studios Disney and Universal Studios, and the UK-based makers of the iconic James Bond films, EON Productions, arrived in the Capital last Sunday for the five-day tour.
The executives included Mick Flannigan and Paul Baker from twofour54, Vicki Garbor from Disney and Adam McCarthy from Universal.
During the tour, the delegation visited a range of locations in and around Abu Dhabi including Emirates Palace, the F1 track on Yas Island and The Lourve on Saadiyat Island. The tour also included taking in an aerial view of Qasr Al Sarab desert by helicopter before enjoying an Arabian themed dinner.
The delegation was welcomed by Abu Dhabi Film Commission manager Jassim Al Nowais manager and Noura Al Kaabi, chairwoman of Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (MZA).
Al Nowais said, “Abu Dhabi Film Commission, as part of MZA, has developed a unique combination of experience, infrastructure and incentives that rightly grabs the attention of studios and production houses internationally. It was an honor to meet these esteemed film industry professionals, show them first-hand our incredible locations and discuss potential projects.”
Abu Dhabi has risen to prominence internationally as an emerging filming location following a number of high-profile productions choosing to film in the Capital in recent years. Some of the films to opt for Abu Dhabi as a backdrop include the third biggest film of all time, Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Brad Pitt’s War Machine; Fast and Furious 7; and a number of Bollywood films including Dishoom and Bang Bang!