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Dubai: Studio City is taking shape with Dh450 million of investment, said the key figures in its creation at a DIFF press conference yesterday.
The massive complex, situated in Dubailand, will boast 65,000 sq ft of sound stages, which can cater for major feature films as well as smaller-scale productions, it was announced.
The first phase of the project will be ready by the fourth quarter of 2007 with full completion of the sound stages by the second quarter of 2008.
Speaking at the DIFF headquarters at the Madinat Conference Hall yesterday, Dr Amina Al Rustamani, executive director of media at TECOM investments, said: “Dubai International Film Festival is a very important vehicle for us to attract international filmmakers to Dubai to use the locations available.”
The space will be divided into one sound stage of 15,000 sq ft and two of 25,000 sq ft each, which can be joined to create a 50,000 sq ft facility.
Different elements
Jamal Al Sharif, director of Dubai Studio City, used artists’ impressions to highlight the different elements of the sound stages being created.
He said: “The sound stages will be located in a separate area of Dubai Studio City which will be gated to keep the confidentiality of the filmmakers who come to Dubai Studio City.
We also have a 3.5 million sq ft back drop where you can build an outdoor set or have outdoor shooting.”
This project is just months away from completion with the deadline being March 2007.
And to accommodate the influx of visitors, two hotels have already signed up for a presence in the complex.
All in all, Dubai Studio City seems set to put the UAE on the filmmaking map before we know it.
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