Dubai Studio City

Unleash your imagination.

Imagine a place where you can shoot a film from start to finish in one location. From financing to casting to pre-production to filming in exotic locations to editing to sound recording to visual animation to processing to distribution and finally to the premiere night. Imagine a place like Dubai Studio City.

Launched in 2005, Dubai Studio City (DSC) is a global business community that provides cutting-edge facilities and services to companies across the broadcasting, film production, TV, music, and entertainment sectors. Dubai Studio City provides an all-in-one solution to facilitate an easy, efficient and innovative production process. DSC meets worldwide creative needs by offering outstanding production services, the largest Sound Stages in the region, backlots, sets, water tanks, production offices, recording studios and offices.

Designed to accelerate the expansion of the film and broadcasting industry and spread across 22 million sq.ft, DSC strives to become a Hollywood type of service provider and a full community area with residential buildings, hotels, leisure centres, schools and training institutes.

Types of formations:

1. Free Zone limited liability company (FZ-LLC):

A FZ-LLC is formed as a separate legal entity, with shareholders as individuals and/or Corporates.

The minimum capital requirement for incorporation depends on the business activity.

2. Branch of a foreign/UAE company:

A branch is not a legal entity separate from its parent. It is considered a place of business that forms a legally dependent part of the parent company. It conducts all or some of the operations inherent in the parent’s business. Share capital is not required.

3. Freelance permit:

The Freelance permit offers the ability to operate as a freelance professional. The permit identifies you as a sole practitioner. It enables you to conduct your business in your birth name as opposed to a brand name.

Types of licenses issued: Production & Broadcasting

Business benefits in Dubai Studio City:

• Guaranteed 50-year exemption from personal, income and corporate taxes
• No customs duty
• Comparatively lower operating costs
• Opportunity to channel the vast amount of untapped wealth from local investors for project finance and long-term investment
• Channel development opportunities
• 100% business ownership