Abu Dhabi Government supports global film production in the Emirates

Abu Dhabi (WAM): The UAE continues to emerge as a leading hub for regional and global television and film production with the successful filming of Universal Pictures' "Fast & Furious 7", according to twofour54, the commercial arm of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi. The production of the next chapter in the highly anticipated action-thriller series was made possible by cooperation between Abu Dhabi government entities and twofour54 intaj, the television and film services provider of twofour54. A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi's Executive Council offered a public show of support by visiting the cast and crew on set. The delegation included Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority - twofour54, Saeed Eid Al Ghafli, Chairman of Department of Municipal Affairs and Major General Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Rumaithi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police. Fast '&' Furious 7 was filmed at several iconic locations in Abu Dhabi, including Emirates Palace, Al Ain city and Jumeirah Etihad Towers. Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan visited the production while it was filming on his property, illustrating the private sector's support for global productions and the emirate's emergence as a media production hub. "Abu Dhabi Government's efforts to attract international productions are a resounding success," said Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54. "I would like thank the public entities for their support and commitment to developing Abu Dhabi into a leading production hub." "We are delighted that the filming of Fast & Furious 7 was successfully completed. It is wonderful to see how popular foreign productions can benefit from Abu Dhabi's unique locations, world-class production and post-production facilities, locally based media professionals and generous film rebate." Filming of Fast & Furious 7 in the UAE caused a social media frenzy, with fans thrilled by the presence of international stars. The cast and crew also expressed their delight with the location and local hospitality online. The producers of Fast & Furious 7 also benefited from a 30% rebate on all qualifying spend in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi offered by Abu Dhabi Film Commission, powered by twofour54. The Ministry of the Interior, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Department of Transport provided on-the-ground support by providing permits and managing traffic. Filming of the anticipated instalment of the action series began in Abu Dhabi in November 2013, when a visual effects crew captured helicopter shots, stunt footage and visual effects scenes at iconic Abu Dhabi landmarks with twofour54 intaj providing production services. Abu Dhabi Film Commission has attracted various international film productions, including the soon to be released Hollywood thriller; Deliver us from Evil, Syrian production company Clacket's The Brothers and the BBC's Top Gear. – Emirates News Agency, WAM