Abu Dhabi Film Commission Raises Its New Rebate to up to 50% of Qualified Production Spend

variety.com:

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to lure more film and TV shoots to the United Arab Emirates’ capital by enhancing its new rebate which is now set to reach up to 50% of qualified below-the-line spend starting in January 2025.

After becoming a prime Middle East hub for Hollywood and Bollywood productions over the past decade, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission in October announced they were upping their previous 30% rebate to more than 35%.

Now they have now unveiled how, on top of the rebate’s new 35% baseline, productions can reach a total rebate of 50% on their principal photography and post-production costs by meeting new criteria.

These include featuring the UAE’s national history, culture and identity in the productions’ storylines; carrying out full post-production work in Abu Dhabi; and doing the main unit production of a feature film in Abu Dhabi and/or filming an entire TV series in the emirate.