Abu Dhabi continues to assert its position as a burgeoning global creative hub with its latest strategic move to amplify Arabic film and television production. The emirate’s Creative Media Authority (CMA) has announced a significant three-year partnership with Fingerprint Media Production, a dynamic full-service film and content production company known for its commitment to telling compelling Arabic stories. This collaboration aims to elevate Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, bringing more Arabic content to regional and international audiences, while fostering talent development and industry growth within the emirate.
A Vision for Growth in Arabic Media Production
The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader vision to diversify its economy by investing heavily in the creative industries, particularly the media and entertainment sectors. Arabic content production, including films and TV series, has witnessed a surge in demand globally. Recognizing this trend, CMA and Fingerprint Media Production have set forth an ambitious plan to increase the volume and quality of locally produced Arabic content, thereby positioning Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for film and television production.
At the core of the partnership is a commitment to produce an average of two Arabic-language projects annually, focusing on film and television. This production scale is designed to sustain a consistent output of Arabic content, engaging audiences across the Middle East and beyond. Notably, the collaboration aims to involve at least 50% local talent in production crews, ensuring that the benefits of this industry growth are shared with Abu Dhabi’s local workforce.
Enhancing Local Talent and Industry Expertise
One of the pivotal aspects of this collaboration is its emphasis on nurturing local talent and industry professionals. To accomplish this, CMA and Fingerprint Media Production will facilitate two annual workshops focused on skills development in Arabic film and television production. These workshops will serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, hands-on training, and networking, equipping emerging creatives with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
In addition, the partnership will create internship opportunities, offering young Emiratis and residents the chance to gain invaluable work experience in the media production environment. With two internship placements available each year, the initiative seeks to build a robust pipeline of future media professionals rooted in Abu Dhabi’s creative sector.
Moreover, the agreement includes the creation of three full-time roles within Fingerprint Media Production, further solidifying job opportunities within the local media industry. This holistic approach to talent cultivation not only strengthens individual careers but also supports the sustainable development of the creative industries in Abu Dhabi.
Financial Incentives and Strategic Support
To support this ambitious production agenda, the Creative Media Authority will extend its backing through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s rebate scheme. This incentive program offers a starting rebate of 35% on qualifying production expenditures within Abu Dhabi, with the potential for even higher rebates depending on the project’s specifics. These financial incentives play a crucial role in attracting regional producers and filmmakers to choose Abu Dhabi as their preferred filming destination.
Additionally, Fingerprint Media Production will be provided with office space at the Yas Creative Hub, the emirate’s dedicated media and entertainment free zone. The hub offers state-of-the-art facilities, collaborative workspaces, and access to a vibrant community of media professionals. This environment is designed to foster creativity and innovation, enabling Fingerprint Media to scale its operations effectively while remaining deeply connected to the local media ecosystem.
Leadership Insights on the Partnership
Key figures involved in this partnership have highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration for Abu Dhabi’s creative industries. Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are focused on delivering extensive strategic partnerships with leading Arabic content producers, including Fingerprint Media Production, from across the region. These partnerships will drive increasing production in Abu Dhabi and ensure sustained growth for our creative industries.”
Khalid Khouri, Director of Industry Development at CMA, further emphasized the objective of maintaining a continuous slate of Arabic productions year-round. “This collaboration with Fingerprint Media will contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s appeal to attract more Arab films and series. Over the next three years, we anticipate six Egyptian productions being filmed in Abu Dhabi, showcasing the emirate’s growing importance in the Arabic media landscape.”
On the Fingerprint Media Production side, co-founder and director Dr. Morcous Adel underscored the alignment of the partnership with the company’s values. “Our operation is built on creativity and collaboration, and our new partnership with the Creative Media Authority in Abu Dhabi is aligned with our core foundation. We look forward to shooting many more projects from Abu Dhabi, as the support we receive—from the rebate incentives to the vibrant creative ecosystem and the variety of filming locations—is unrivalled in the region.”
Actor and producer Eyad Nassar, also a founding member of Fingerprint Media, shared a positive reflection on their recent production experiences in Abu Dhabi. “After the success of filming our latest drama series here, we have witnessed firsthand the exceptional support and infrastructure available in the emirate. We are eager to continue creating content that will captivate Arabic audiences, leveraging Abu Dhabi as our new creative base.”
Spotlight on Fingerprint Media Production
Fingerprint Media Production, established by Dr. Morcous Adel and Eyad Nassar, is a company dedicated to producing visually compelling Arabic narratives that resonate with local and regional audiences. The company recently completed the filming of Misuse, a six-episode TV drama series shot entirely in Abu Dhabi. This anthology-style series explores contemporary social themes such as privacy, the impact of social media, family dynamics, and the challenges of modern life, all framed through the consequences of technology misuse.
Featuring a diverse cast from across the Arab world—including prominent actors from Egypt and other countries—the series exemplifies Fingerprint Media’s commitment to storytelling that reflects the lived experiences of Arabic-speaking audiences. Misuse’s success is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s rising status as a versatile filming location capable of supporting complex, high-quality productions.
Abu Dhabi’s Growing Creative Ecosystem
This partnership also highlights Abu Dhabi’s strategic efforts to establish itself as a hub for creative industries, aligned with the UAE’s broader economic diversification goals. The emirate has invested heavily in infrastructure, policy frameworks, and incentives that encourage media production and attract global talent and capital.
The Yas Creative Hub, where Fingerprint Media Production will be based, is central to this strategy. The hub provides a collaborative environment where creatives, entrepreneurs, and media professionals can innovate and exchange ideas. It supports a wide range of activities including film production, post-production, digital content creation, and media technology development.
The Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s rebate program further complements these efforts by lowering financial barriers for filmmakers and producers, making the emirate an attractive destination for regional and international projects. These combined initiatives underscore Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creating a sustainable and vibrant creative economy.
The Future of Arabic Film and Television in Abu Dhabi
Looking ahead, the CMA and Fingerprint Media Production partnership is expected to catalyze a new wave of Arabic film and television productions. By producing more locally made content, the initiative not only enriches the cultural landscape but also boosts tourism, creates jobs, and stimulates associated industries such as hospitality, logistics, and marketing.
The collaboration also aims to inspire other production companies and content creators to consider Abu Dhabi as a preferred location for their projects. The presence of international-quality infrastructure, coupled with the emirate’s supportive policies and multicultural environment, provides a competitive edge in the global media marketplace.
Moreover, by prioritizing local talent development and employment, the partnership helps to establish a sustainable media ecosystem that nurtures future generations of creatives. This ensures that Abu Dhabi’s creative industries will continue to grow organically, producing content that reflects both regional identity and global appeal.
Conclusion
The three-year partnership between the Creative Media Authority and Fingerprint Media Production represents a landmark initiative in Abu Dhabi’s evolving creative landscape. By focusing on boosting Arabic film and television production, engaging local talent, and providing robust industry support, the collaboration is set to make a lasting impact on the emirate’s media sector.
With strategic financial incentives, access to premier facilities like Yas Creative Hub, and a commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a leading center for Arabic media production. This partnership not only highlights the emirate’s ambitions but also signals a promising future for Arabic storytelling that resonates across the region and beyond.
As Abu Dhabi continues to attract more productions and nurture its creative workforce, it reinforces its role as a vibrant cultural capital and a beacon for innovation in the Middle East’s media industry.
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