Dubai As The New Filming Hub In The Middle East At AFCI Locations Show In LA

A delegation from The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC), headed to Los Angeles to attend global AFCI Locations Show, which took place in the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza from 5 - 7 March, 2015.

The AFCI Locations Show brings together every year hundreds of global production VIPs from independent filmmakers to industry veteran to media to film commissioners, showcasing an unbeatable display of incentives, production locations, and business and support services.

The DFTC delegation was headed by Saeed Al Janahi, Head of Operations at DFTC and included members of the marketing team, as well as Ammar Al Khrisat, CEO of Alkatraz Production, who is one of the UAE production services specialists, that provides world class casting, locations, crew and equipment facilities to filmmakers in Dubai.

In its aim to establish Dubai and the UAE as the premier filming destination for local and international productions, DFTC team have met with production companies and international filmmakers during the 3 days of the Show, demonstrating Dubai’s cutting-edge infrastructure and world-class facilities as well as other incentives of filming in Dubai, including ease of issuing permits, close proximity to other countries, and the safety and security the UAE enjoys.

Among the meetings DFTC have conducted was a meeting with LA Brazilian Film Festival representatives, who expressed interest in branching out to Dubai, creating a closer production tie up between Dubai and Brazil, where Dubai has already seen productions coming from Brazil including, Novela Babilonia the biggest TV programme on TV Globo in Brazil, which filmed many of its segments in Dubai last year.

Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission and Managing Director of Dubai Studio City commented on the trip saying:

"We have no doubt that Dubai will be a global production hub in the Middle East, offering a serious competitive edge to all filmmakers, and attracting production companies from around the world. I see it as our responsibility to make this happen, because we have the right fundamentals, the advanced facilities and a new generation of young talents that can build this industry."

Jamal added: "AFCI Locations Show offers a global platform that combines filmmakers with the right country officials. It is among a list of major local and international events that we ensure to have presence at to promote for Dubai. These include Cannes Film Festival, Golden Globe, American Film Market and Dubai International Film Festival."

Ammar Al Khrisat, CEO of Alkatraz Production said: "We are proud to have been part of the Dubai delegation attending the AFCI Locations Show this year, and would like to thank DFTC for giving us this great opportunity. We have worked with many of, if not all, the local production houses in the UAE, each bringing to Alkatraz over 10 years of industry experience. The Show provides a global platform to showcase the excellent filming experience in this incredible City, we also provide a live example of what Dubai offers for this industry through our lineup of acclaimed feature films, TVC's, short films, music videos, events and various new media content."

It's worthy to note that Alkatraz Production was the first UAE company to become member of Locations Managers Guild of America, an organisation of experienced career professionals in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries. The Guild is dedicated to the establishment of professional standards of personal conduct and business ethics. It supports the formation of strong links with business members, governmental agencies and local communities.

DFTC itself is also a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International, the official organisation for film commissioners who assist film, television and video production across the globe.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Mar 25, 2015

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