35%++ Cashback Rebate

The film industry of Abu Dhabi is vibrant, growing and diverse – from Hollywood and Bollywood to regional Arabic content, we’re supporting productions every day – and having just returned from the world’s largest b2b show called MIPCOM in Cannes, I wanted to share one of the biggest developments for Abu Dhabi’s film industry since 2009 when the Abu Dhabi Film Commission was established. Attending this year’s MIPCOM was a very significant moment for Abu Dhabi, as we unveiled our rebate increase – the first increase since the rebate’s introduction back in 2013. Our rebate is moving from 30% to start from 35%++ for all new filming applications submitted from 1 January 2025. As you might expect, the ++ indicates that there will be potential to claim more than 35% back and the guidelines around how to do this will be unveiled closer to the launch date – but the news was very well received across our industry peers and has already kick started some exciting discussions with potential production partners (old and new).

For me personally, starting my journey as an intern for the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, nearly 15 years ago, the rebate and its momentum I feel is intwined with my career journey in the Abu Dhabi screen industry and I am incredibly proud to have seen so many milestone moments for Abu Dhabi’s Film Commission and for Abu Dhabi itself.?

Some might not know that Abu Dhabi’s Film Commission, which is part of the Creative Media Authority, was the first in region to introduce a cashback rebate for TV and film production (and postproduction) which happens in the Emirate. Our rebate has supported over 150 major productions including Mission Impossible Fallout (2018), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Dune: Part 2 (2023), Dune (2021), Fast and Furious 7 (2015), Bharat (2019), Bang Bang (2014) and Tiger Zindha Hai (2017) – something which we are incredibly proud to have achieved. For these production teams – the rebate ensures they can claim back costs occurred against a clear set of criteria – ensuring they can bring their dreams to screen.

The rebate is a significant economic stimulator as independent studies show that for every dirham we might pay to production teams, we gain more than three dirhams back into Abu Dhabi’s economy – and that doesn’t account for the longer-term benefits of Abu Dhabi’s screentime generating additional spend through tourism as film fans “set jet” on their holidays.

By increasing the rebate, we will continue to attract film and TV production, and drive momentum in the industry – not only from a direct economic stance - but where we can fuel further business set up to go alongside the existing 300 private production-related businesses registered; attract more skilled, established talent to live in Abu Dhabi alongside the existing 1000 talented creative freelancers already here and inspire the storytellers of the future who will join the hundreds of young creatives from our nation looking for unbeatable internship experiences to springboard their career from.

Written by Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission