Dubai is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and one of the most filmed and photographed locations. There are however many strict laws that govern photography and videography in Dubai. So when film production companies consider Dubai to be their next film location, one should properly understand these laws and then go ahead with their production activities.
Checklist of items to take care of while Filming in Dubai
- Permits for the shoot
Even before you consider a particular indoor or outdoor location in Dubai for a photoshoot or videography, ensure you have the required permission from Management teams and other authorities. While shooting in places like Madinat Souk Jumeirah or other huge malls in Dubai, permission for shoot should first be obtained. Even shooting at most hotels will require prior permission and approval first.
- Clicking pictures and taking videos of someone without consent is an offence in Dubai
Taking photos or videos that may violate the privacy of another individual is a serious offence in Dubai, as per UAE law. Taking pictures of people is a sensitive issue in the local culture of Dubai. Taking somebody’s picture without their consent, or is legally permitted circumstances shall be considered an invasion of privacy or personal life of that person. It is forbidden to take pictures of women and families in UAE in public places.
In doing so, the camera will be confiscated and the recordings destroyed. Besides, there are fines and also imprisonment in specific cases.
It can take several weeks or even months to obtain a film permit in Dubai. Contact our experts for Seamless film permit and shooting in Dubai.
- Sharing footage online without prior consent is an offence too
Prior express consent needs to be taken to share any content, whether video or photography. Violation of this attracts punishment of detention of not more than six months along with a fine. Exceptions to this entail if the footage is taken of a public event or involves public figures, celebrities, or official personalities or if the publication of such pictures/videos is in the public interest.
- Footages of government organizations and military sites not permitted
Any major government, strategic location, military location cannot be photographed or filmed in Dubai. The laws state that it is illegal to capture any footage of these areas.
As a film production unit, you might be lured to capture the awesome footage of the deserts in Dubai. Be extra cautious of the dotted areas that the Emirates mention as restricted zones. A picture of a passing camel in the desert may land you in trouble as it might be well within a military zone.
Knowledge about the permissible filming zones helps!
- Approval is necessary to shoot at the airport
Shooting at the airport and of the airside in Dubai needs prior approval from concerned authorities. The Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International at DWC are secure environments with restricted access to ensure the safety and security of passengers, employees, and stakeholders.
Filming in the immigration areas needs prior permission failing which there can be fines and even imprisonment of one to three months.
Only 20% of film permits in Dubai are granted for location shoots. Get assured of your next film shoot with Studio 52 assistance.
Dubai Film Permit is one of the licensed media partners of the Government of UAE. Originally a 100% owned subsidiary of Studio 52, the company facilitates film production in Dubai by arranging for permits for shooting at various indoor and outdoor locations of Dubai.
There is a larger role than this company plays. It not only assists a film shooting unit to gain access into some of the most beautiful locations on this planet but also ensures that production scheduling and planning is done smoothly and there are no-cost overruns on the film budget.
This ensures the film production unit concentrate on the creative process of film-making while Film Permit takes care of the administrative hassles and other ancillary requirements.
For more information on Filming in Dubai, please visit: https://www.uaefilmpermit.com/
