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The Middle East For Your Next Film Destination

For all the filmmakers out there, throughout 2016, Arabian Moda team has attended international and local Arab film festivals. Our mission was to learn more about the cinema industry in a region that is culturally rich with hidden talents. So here are the top reasons why the Middle East should be the destination for your upcoming film.

If you are seeking a desert meets cosmopolitan setting, then Dubai is the place to be. The Dubai International Film Festival was established when the industry was relatively inexistent in the area. And over the years, the establishment of Dubai Media City and Dubai Production City accelerated the reputation and the attraction of the Emirate as a movie destination. Shooting in Dubai is very convenient, since it's located at the center of the Middle East and has a moderate weather in December (which is usually the beginning of the filming season). Additionally, its culture is a melting pot of numerous nationalities.

On the other hand, if you are seeking a beach and/or mountain destination, then Lebanon is definitely your option. While the country doesn’t provide all the financial means, it does provide fiscal exemptions and loans given by the Banque du Liban. Its human resources are an asset, as its citizens are bilingual or even trilingual in Arabic, English and French. But its main advantage lies in its beautiful landscapes and natural sites. For instance, you can film in the snow-covered mountains and on the sandy Mediterranean beaches in the same day, due to their close proximity to one another.

In recent years, a successful film recipe has been established by mixing factors from different countries in the MENA region. And the fusion often creates a unique selling proposition.

A PR and marketing film director in the Middle East elaborated this perfect mix which includes; Egyptian production with Egypt being the pioneer of cinema since the 1930s, A Lebanese content and its competencies in film marketing and branding, with a touch of the Syrian, Jordanian or Palestinian’s methods of storytelling.

Another recipe could include Tunisian, Algerian or Moroccan components that provide completely different perspectives, and that tackle topics beyond the limits of the traditional Middle East.

Form our observation, Arab cinema is booming because it has become an indispensable method of expression for all the repression and injustice in the region.