Executive Council Resolution No. (16) of 2012

Establishing the

Dubai Film and Television Commission[1]

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We, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council,

After perusal of:

Law No. (1) of 2000 Establishing the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone and its amendments;

Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (14) of 2009 Concerning the Pricing of Government Services in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (35) of 2009 Concerning Management of the Public Funds of the Government of Dubai; and

Executive Council Resolution No. (8) of 2007 Concerning the Licensing of Filming Operations Conducted in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Resolution.

Article (1)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

UAE:	The United Arab Emirates.
Emirate:	The Emirate of Dubai.
TECOM Authority:	The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.
DFTC:	The Dubai Film and Television Commission.
Media Production:	Video and audio production including filming for television, cinema, commercials, drama, and documentaries; photography; radio programmes; and other productions.
Media Filming:	Filming operations conducted for Media Production purposes.
Outdoor Filming:	Media Filming operations conducted in open spaces such as streets, roads, beaches, public parks, car parks, and elsewhere.
Indoor Filming:	Media Filming operations conducted in closed spaces such as shopping centres, hospitals, offices, hotels, and similar places.
Production Company:	Any firm, company, or agency conducting Media Production activities, or working in the field of media or television and radio broadcasting.

Article (2)

Pursuant to this Resolution, a permanent commission named the “Dubai Film and Television Commission” is established. The DFTC will have administrative and financial autonomy and will be affiliated to the TECOM Authority.

Objectives and Duties of the DFTC

Article (3)

In line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, the DFTC aims to establish a fundamental framework which determines the general strategy that must be followed by the Emirate to increase the gross domestic product, and attract international production in the cinema and television sectors. For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the DFTC may:

1. with a view to developing the gross domestic product of the Emirate, establish a clear procedure and strategy to promote the Emirate as a destination for Media Filming and Media Production through attracting foreign and local Production Companies as an effective means of tourism marketing, and through focusing on targeted markets;

2. establish a procedure and strategy to reduce Media Production costs in such a manner as to promote the Emirate’s position in the field of media at the regional and international levels. This includes establishing a procedure for managing incentive programmes, attracting foreign television programmes and films, and encouraging local production;

3. ensure expediency and smoothness of the procedures of Media Filming throughout the Emirate including in public and private indoor and outdoor filming locations;

4. develop and attract the human resources required for the Media Production sector and develop competencies in all relevant fields;

5. act as a liaison between Government entities and private companies to facilitate Media Filming operations conducted in the Emirate; and

6. establish an efficient procedure to appraise the performance of the DFTC; and conduct studies to gauge the impact of Media Filming on the tourism sector, on promoting talent, on the costs of Media Production in the Emirate, and on the gross domestic product of the Emirate.

Media Filming Permits

Article (4)

1. Pursuant to this Resolution, the DFTC is the sole entity authorised to license all filming operations conducted in the Emirate for Media Production purposes.

2. All the responsibilities, powers, and employees of the Filming Permits Section of the Dubai Studio City are hereby transferred to the DFTC.

Filming Locations

Article (5)

1. For the purpose of issuing permits for Media Filming operations conducted in the Emirate, the DFTC will coordinate with the relevant Government entities, private entities, and Special Development Zones. In all events, the approval by such entities of applications for filming at their locations must be obtained.

2. The DFTC will charge an applicant for a permit for Media Filming in the Emirate the following fees:

- two thousand Dirhams (AED 2,000.00) per day or part of a day when filming in any of the locations managed by the Government entities stated in Schedule (1) attached hereto; or

- the fees stipulated in Schedule (2) attached hereto when filming in any of the locations managed by private entities.

Media Permit Fees

Article (6)

The DFTC may, from time to time, review and amend the list of Government and private entities and the permit fees set out in Article (5) hereof. Any such amendment must be approved pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council.

DTFC Members

Article (7)

The DFTC established pursuant to this Resolution will be formed of representatives from the following entities:

1. the Dubai Police General Headquarters;

2. the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing;

3. the Department of Economic Development;

4. the Government of Dubai Media Office;

5. the Dubai Studio City;

6. the Dubai International Film Festival;

7. the Emirates Airlines Group; and

8. the Jumairah Group.

Chairman of the DFTC

Article (8)

Pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council, a chairman will be appointed to the DFTC from amongst the representatives of the entities referred to in Article (7) of this Resolution.

Executive Body of the DFTC

Article (9)

Employees of the executive body of the DFTC will be selected and appointed and their remuneration, obligations, and rights, and other relevant matters will be determined, pursuant to a resolution issued by the chairman of DFTC.

Charter of the DFTC

Article (10)

The DFTC will have a charter which regulates its work, meeting quorums, and method of passing its resolutions. Such charter must be approved pursuant to a resolution of the DFTC.

Seeking Assistance from Experts

Article (11)

For purposes of achieving its objectives and performing its duties, the DFTC may, as it deems appropriate, seek the assistance of experts and form work teams as required.

Article (12)

This Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Crown Prince of Dubai

Chairman of the Executive Council

Issued in Dubai on 24 May 2012

Corresponding to 3 Rajab 1433 A.H.

Schedule (1)

SN	Public Locations Managed by Government Entities
1	Public streets in Deira, Bur Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah, etc.
2	Dubai districts such as Deira, Bur Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah, etc.
3	Government hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres
4	Police stations
5	Dubai airports
6	Public parks and beaches
7	Ports
8	Dubai Metro and its stations
9	Al Bastakiya Heritage Neighbourhood
10	Dubai Creek
11	Hatta District

Schedule (2)

Filming Locations Managed by Private Entities
Media Filming	Filming Period/ Fee (in Dirhams)
Media Filming	Filming for one day	Filming for half a day
Outdoor Filming	15,000.00	8,000.00
Indoor Filming	25,000.00	13,000.00

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict the Arabic text will prevail.