In support of local film production, the National Media Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 16 actors in the field of filmmaking to develop local film production and support its display across platforms and screens. The event, which was held at the Union Museum, was attended by representatives of cinemas in the UAE, including Fox Cinema, Real Cinema and Grand Cinema, as well as a group of film production companies.

Under the terms of the MoU, movie distribution and distribution institutions will increase the length of the UAE film production and support for outdoor performances, as well as increase promotional offers and promotional campaigns for the UAE film, and launch UAE films launched in cooperation with theaters in the UAE. The director general of the National Media Council, Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansouri, said: "We recognize the importance of local film production in the National Media Council because it has a great role in highlighting the national identity of the UAE and highlighting the reality of society and the fundamental pillars on which it is based. .

He explained that the program aims to improve the quality of local film production, and to allow UAE talent to excel in this sector, which is able to contribute effectively to establish the positive image of the state around the world.

"The UAE has the ability to meet the requirements of film production in terms of the availability of infrastructure, studios and technical equipment of international quality for filming and directing films, and we are keen to provide the necessary support to the workers in this sector to achieve more achievements, including The development of regional and global partnership and cooperation mechanisms aimed at promoting Emirati films and presenting them in Gulf and regional cinemas as well as online entertainment platforms. "

"The leadership of the National Media Council (NCC) has been supporting this year's film market in the UAE. A special program has been launched for this purpose. This program will be effective in 2019. The main objective is to support (UAE) and Al Ittihad, as well as discussing the launch of this initiative with Bahrain. " The director of Media Content at the National Media Council, Ibrahim Ali Khadem, pointed out that the program aims at three things, first supporting the local artistic movement in the field of films, and secondly providing a package of facilities to the production companies, distributors and producers, and thirdly making the UAE film into the category of elite films Which competes with foreign films.

He pointed out that the National Media Council will provide facilities for filming within the country, as well as training through training workshops for preparing cadres, in order to raise the level of Emirati films in coordination with production companies that have close relations with international production companies to provide training opportunities. He explained that «these agreements will provide facilities to raise the offer of UAE films in the local cinema».

"The issue of funding for local production is not a big dilemma, but the big challenge lies in the technical aspect and the quality of the films. It is the quality that makes the difference. The second challenge is the logistical challenge. To collaborate with large platforms such as Netflix to promote films. "

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

He pointed out that the harmonization with the countries of the region is one of the stations of the program, the Council is in cooperation with the Saudi cinema, and will launch the initiative of the UAE-Saudi cinema next week. As for the mechanism of action to ensure the sustainability of the project, he pointed out that it follows two ways first, direct modernization with the UAE production companies, which are processed one after the other, and each company anticipates the initiative, there will be a follow-up program with them to report on the number of Emirati films issued, Trackbacks after viewing each movie. Two main criteria were put in place to support local films, first that the film was produced within the state, and secondly that the film was produced by a company within the state. Italy Film was a signatory to the understanding.

Marketing experience

The director general of Italy Film, Jean Chahine, said: "Supporting the local production in any country is the aim of any company. As a company we distribute Disney films, Hollywood movies, and do not support any Arab films. We will use our global marketing expertise to support UAE films, taking into account the segment you are going to be targeting. " He said the film would be translated in English, which could attract more foreigners, pointing out that they are constantly seeking to support local production, and that the most they can offer is to let the film show longer in the galleries.

The director of Real Cinema, Alessin Barnes, pointed out that they will support local films by showing films at all show sites, with many possibilities for timing, and leaving the film for a long time. She noted that the UAE film is in a state of growth, and of course this initiative will encourage watching the film and increasing production.

«Father of Cinema»

Ahmed Gulshin, who has been living in the UAE for 54 years, is the father of cinema. When he came to the UAE, there was no cinema, and there were four walls in the square of Nazareth. When he came to the country in those years, he found that there was no place to entertain at all. There was no radio, newspapers or even cinema. The first film was made here in 1964. He pointed out that at that time the films came from Lebanon and Egypt Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. The films were mostly Indian, and people enjoyed the shows only in the evening, especially on Thursday, and when the film was a hit, it was returned in the coming weeks. The way in which the films were to be shown was posters carried by a young man who promoted films and went to the market, carrying posters, the poster on the front announcing the film for the night, while the sticker on the back announcing the film the next day. The development of cinema in the UAE began in the late 1960s, with the establishment of real cinema.

- Signed the National Council

Media note

Understanding with the parties

Cinematic, objective

Development of production

Local cinema.

- The program aims to support the local artistic movement in the field of films.

- Package of facilities for production companies, distributors and domestic producers.