Written by on Jul 3, 2013. Posted in On Location

Dubai Film and TV Commission plans new online portal for filming productions

The Dubai Film and TV Commission is planning a new online portal to make location filming in the city more efficient. Public and private sector organisations will be linked in a bid to reduce bureaucracy, while processing times for location permits will be shortened.

“The automated system lets other agencies, like the Dubai Police, know that a company is registered to shoot in Dubai,” Dubai Film and TV Commission Chairman Jamal Al Sharif told The National: “You will be able to get approval outside of the country, on mobile phones and tablets. Dubai has to be standardised with other international cities. It is important we listen to our partners who are demanding fast track and easy access.”

Dubai lacks a formal filming incentive but is able to arrange informal deals worth up to 20% of local spending, with decisions made on a case-by-case basis. The emirate offers world-class filmmaking facilities at Dubai Studio City.

To read The Location Guide's interview with Jamal Al Sharif click here.