Abu Dhabi's CMA and Fingerprint Media sign deal to boost Arabic productions
Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority (CMA) has entered a three-year strategic partnership with Fingerprint Media Production, the content company founded by director Dr Morcous Adel and actor-producer Eyad Nassar, to advance Arabic-language film and television production in the emirate.
The agreement aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a regional hub for Arabic content, with a plan to deliver two new productions per year and draw at least 50% of crew from the local talent pool. It also includes two Arabic industry workshops annually, two work experience placements each year for young creatives, and three full-time roles created under the partnership. CMA will support the initiative through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's rebate scheme, offering a minimum of 35% back on eligible spend, and provide office space at Yas Creative Hub.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority, said: 'We are focused on delivering extensive strategic partnerships with leading Arabic content producers, including Fingerprint Media Production, from across the region as these will drive increasing production in Abu Dhabi and ensure sustained growth for our creative industries.'
Khalid Khouri, Director of Industry Development at Creative Media Authority, added: 'One of our key focuses is to ensure a year-round slate of production from Arabic production teams as we work to ensure Arabic TV and cinematic content utilises all that Abu Dhabi has to offer. This collaboration with Fingerprint Media will contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi's appeal to attract more Arab films and series. Over the next three years, we will witness six Egyptian productions being filmed in Abu Dhabi.'
Fingerprint Media, known for creating impactful Arabic narratives, has already wrapped production on Misuse, a six-part anthology drama filmed in Abu Dhabi. The show explores societal challenges such as privacy, love, family and the dangers of technology and social media misuse. Each episode features a different story, director, and cast, including notable Arab actors such as Eyad Nassar, Heidi Karam, Haggag Abdel Azim and Rasha Mahdi.
Director and producer Dr Morcous Adel, owner of Fingerprint Media Production, commented: 'Our operation is built on creativity and collaboration and our new partnership with the Creative Media Authority in Abu Dhabi is aligned with our core foundation. We look forward to shooting many more projects from Abu Dhabi as the support we receive in terms of the rebate from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the creative ecosystem, the choice of on-ground talent, government support and expertise – and of course – the variety of filming locations is very favourable and unrivalled in the region.'
Stars actor and producer Eyad Nassar, owner of Fingerprint Media Production, noted: 'After the success of filming our latest drama series in Abu Dhabi, we have experienced firsthand the support and infrastructure which exists in the emirate and we look forward to creating more content to delight Arabic audiences from our new base.'
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