Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal served as a key location in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo: Paramount
Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal served as a key location in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo: Paramount
Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal served as a key location in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo: Paramount
Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal served as a key location in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Photo: Paramount

Abu Dhabi looks to attract more Hollywood blockbusters with 'future-proof' studio


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Twofour54 in Abu Dhabi has revealed plans for a 40-hectare studio facility that will be fully equipped to handle large productions as well as virtual and metaverse projects.

Called twofour54 Studios, it will be located in the extended area of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi. The facility will comprise 11 soundstages, six adaptable sets and a 3,000 square-metre water tank. It will also feature 7,000 square metres of office space and a host of other facilities equipped for film and TV production, post-production and screenings.

Designed to be “future-proof”, the studio comes as a response to growing demands in the filmmaking landscape in the UAE and wider region. It also aims to bolster Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a global production destination. Twofour54 Studios will complement the company’s flagship site at Yas Creative Hub, as well as its other production facilities across the capital.

Twofour54 Studios will complement the company’s flagship site at Yas Creative Hub. Photo: Twofour54
Twofour54 Studios will complement the company’s flagship site at Yas Creative Hub. Photo: Twofour54

“The creative industries have been identified as one of Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors given the important economic and social value they create,” said Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, managing director and chief executive of Adnec Group, twofour54’s parent company.

“We are proud to drive Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a leading global destination for content creation through twofour54 Studios. It will take film and TV production to the next level, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy following its completion in 2025.”

Mark Whitehead, chief executive of twofour54, said the facility comes as a response to the demand for “an integrated, future-ready production destination” in the region.

“Twofour54 has facilitated thousands of productions over the last 15 years, establishing a compelling track record and building a deep expertise of the global film industry’s demands,” he said.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to foster creativity, nurture talent and provide a world-class platform where visionaries can bring their cinematic dreams to life.”

Since twofour54 was launched in 2008, the media free zone has been pivotal in attracting international blockbusters to Abu Dhabi. Hollywood franchises including Mission: Impossible, Dune, Star Wars and Fast and Furious have all shot key scenes in the UAE capital, as have Bollywood hits Bharat and Tiger Zinda Hai.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

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2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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Fourth-round clashes for British players

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Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)

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Brief scores:

Huesca 0

Real Madrid 1

Bale 8'

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Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

Updated: August 01, 2023, 10:39 AM`