Now, companies producing short-form content can benefit from an express process for rebate. The upgraded process approves storyboards within two days and issues interim certificates within five days.
Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30% cash rebate, which has attracted a lot of feature films to the UAE capital, is now being extended to companies shooting short-form content, such as TV commercials, in the Middle East. The express access to Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30% cash rebate is available on both production and post-production spend.
Besides TV commercials, the rebate is applicable to feature films, television dramas and series, documentaries, and telemovies shot in Abu Dhabi; as well as post-production, digital content services, visual effects (PDV) services for projects shot inside or outside Abu Dhabi. It also applies on travel and accommodation. In the six years since the launch of the rebate, Abu Dhabi has seen significant demand, with more than 80 major productions benefiting from the incentive.
Her Excellency Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Vice Chair of twofour54, said: “Rapid advances in technology and changes in society have transformed the media industry, creating new platforms and new trends in consumption. With more and more people consuming content on their mobiles, short-form productions are in high demand.
“Thanks to the expertise, innovation and facilities on offer in Abu Dhabi to production companies, they can produce quality short-form content tailored to today’s market with the added benefit of one of the industry’s most generous financial incentives.”
Other advantages of shooting in Abu Dhabi include its 700-plus diverse locations, a talented pool of local media professionals, year-round sun and twofour54’s award-winning production and post-production facilities and 300,000sqm backlot.
“Abu Dhabi is well-known as a location for major motion pictures, such as 6 Underground, Tiger Zinda Hai and Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” said H.E AlMheiri. “However, the same reasons that Hollywood studios are drawn to the emirate apply for production companies looking to shoot TV commercials in the region or any other short-form content – we have everything and everyone they may need.”
To access the express rebate, producers may send their storyboard to twofour54 for approval along with the rebate application. twofour54 will then fast-track approvals.
