Executive Council Resolution No. (50) passed in 2014, Concerning the Dubai Film and Television Commission was a decisive step in Dubai’s effort to position itself as a regional centre for film and television production. The Resolution established the Dubai Film and Television Commission as a specialised authority responsible for licensing productions, facilitating filming activities, and actively promoting the Emirate as an attractive destination for local and international content creators. At the time, this framework reflected Dubai’s growing recognition of the creative industries as a strategic economic and cultural sector.

More than a decade later, the Resolution itself remains in force. However, the regulatory landscape in which it operates has evolved considerably. Changes in media consumption, the rise of digital and platform-based content, and broader institutional reforms within Dubai’s regulatory architecture have reshaped how film and television activities are governed. While the legal text of Resolution No. (50) of 2014 has not been formally amended, its application now sits within a wider, more centralised media governance framework, reflecting a shift from sector-specific regulation toward integrated oversight and long-term strategic coordination.

The Original Regulatory Architecture

When Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2014 was issued, it introduced a focused and sector-specific regulatory framework governing film and television production in Dubai. The Resolution established the Dubai Film and Television Commission as a specialised regulatory body operating under the Dubai Development Authority, with a mandate limited to audiovisual production activities within the Emirate.

Under the original framework, the Commission’s regulatory scope was clearly defined and operational rather than policy-driven. Its primary functions included:

i. Licensing and Permit Issuance
 Granting filming permits for local and international film and television productions, including approvals for locations, equipment, and production timelines.

ii. Regulatory Coordination
 Acting as a single point of contact to coordinate approvals with relevant government authorities, such as law enforcement, municipalities, and transport agencies.

iii. Industry Facilitation
 Providing logistical support to production companies to reduce administrative barriers and ensure smooth execution of filming activities.

iv. Promotion of Dubai as a Filming Destination
 Supporting initiatives to market Dubai as a competitive regional and international hub for film and television production.

The Commission’s authority under the 2014 Resolution did not extend to content regulation, censorship policy, or broader media governance. Its role was confined to production facilitation and compliance with permitting requirements.

At the time, media regulation in Dubai was fragmented across multiple authorities, each exercising jurisdiction over a specific sector or activity. Resolution No. (50) of 2014 reflected this decentralised model, prioritising efficiency and sectoral development over integrated media oversight.

The Shift Toward Integrated Media Governance

I. Law No. 29 of 2024: Expansion of the Dubai Media Council’s Mandate

A fundamental shift in Dubai’s media governance framework occurred with the enactment of Law No. 29 of 2024, which significantly broadened the powers and institutional role of the Dubai Media Council. Unlike earlier media regulation, which operated through sector-specific authorities, the 2024 law introduced a consolidated and policy-driven approach to media and creative industry regulation.

The law repositioned the Media Council as the central authority responsible not only for regulatory compliance, but also for strategic planning, sector development, and alignment with Dubai’s long-term cultural and economic objectives.

Key Regulatory Changes Introduced by Law No. 29 of 2024

Under the new framework, the Dubai Media Council was granted expanded authority over:

i. Licensing and regulation of media activities, including film, television, digital content, publishing, advertising, and emerging media formats

ii. Oversight of content creation and distribution, encompassing traditional broadcasters, streaming platforms, and digital media providers

iii. Policy formulation and sector development, allowing the Council to shape long-term strategies for media, gaming, film, and creative industries

iv. Regulatory coordination, consolidating previously fragmented oversight functions under a single authority

v. Promotion of Dubai as a global media and creative hub, linking regulation with investment, talent attraction, and international positioning

This shift reflects a move away from purely administrative regulation toward an integrated governance model that treats media as a strategic economic sector rather than a collection of isolated activities.

II. Transfer of the Dubai Film and Television Commission

As part of the institutional restructuring introduced by Law No. 29 of 2024, the Dubai Film and Television Commission was transferred from the Dubai Development Authority to operate under the Dubai Media Council.

While Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2014 remains formally in force, the administrative and supervisory context in which it operates has materially changed.

 Implications of the Transfer:

The transfer resulted in several substantive changes in how film and television regulation is administered:

i. Centralised oversight
The Commission now operates within a broader media governance framework rather than as a standalone sector regulator.

ii. Policy integration
Film and television activities are aligned with wider media, digital content, and creative industry strategies developed by the Media Council.

iii. Expanded regulatory coherence
Decisions relating to permits, incentives, and industry facilitation are increasingly coordinated with content regulation, media policy, and international promotion efforts.

iv. Reduced sectoral autonomy
The Commission’s operational discretion is now exercised within the strategic direction set by the Media Council.

In regulatory terms, this represents a clear transition from sector-specific autonomy to centralised and strategic oversight. While the legal text of Resolution No. (50) of 2014 has not been amended, its implementation is now shaped by a governance structure that emphasises consistency, policy alignment, and long-term sector development.

III. Resolution No. 8 of 2025: The Dubai Committee for the Development of the Film Sector

Dubai’s regulatory evolution in the audiovisual sector continued with the issuance of Resolution No. 8 of 2025, which established the Dubai Committee for the Development of the Film Sector under the authority of the Dubai Media Council. This development represents a further step away from a purely administrative regulatory model toward structured, long-term sectoral governance.

Unlike the Dubai Film and Television Commission, whose original mandate focused primarily on licensing and facilitation, the newly established Committee has a broader and more strategic remit aimed at shaping the future of the film industry in Dubai.

Mandate and Functions of the Committee

Resolution No. 8 of 2025 entrusts the Committee with a range of policy-driven and coordination-focused responsibilities, including:

i. Strategic Policy Development
Formulating medium- and long-term policies to support the growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Dubai’s film sector.

ii. Inter-Agency Coordination
Facilitating structured coordination between government regulators, production companies, studios, investors, and related stakeholders to streamline decision-making and reduce regulatory fragmentation.

iii. Oversight of Incentives and Support Mechanisms
Reviewing and guiding film-related incentive schemes, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure initiatives to ensure alignment with Dubai’s economic and cultural objectives.

iv. Industry Development and Market Positioning
Supporting initiatives that enhance talent development, attract international productions, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional and international filming destination.

v. Advisory Role to the Dubai Media Council
Providing sector-specific insights and recommendations to inform regulatory decisions and broader media policy formulation.

Through these functions, the Committee operates not as a licensing authority, but as a governance and strategy body designed to influence the direction of the film industry at a systemic level.

Recontextualising Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2014

Although Executive Council Resolution No. (50) of 2014 continues to serve as the foundational legal instrument governing film and television production in Dubai, its operational context has been fundamentally transformed.

Today, the Resolution functions within a broader governance framework characterised by:

i. Integrated Media Regulation
Film and television activities are regulated alongside digital content, gaming, and broader media activities under the Dubai Media Council’s unified oversight.

ii. Centralised Strategic Direction
Policy objectives, incentive structures, and industry development initiatives are guided by central authorities rather than sector-specific bodies acting independently.

iii. Institutional Layering
The Dubai Film and Television Commission continues to implement regulatory functions, while strategic direction and sector development are increasingly shaped by the Media Council and the Film Sector Development Committee.

This evolution does not dilute the legal authority of Resolution No. 50 of 2014. Instead, it embeds the Resolution within a more complex and coordinated institutional architecture that prioritises consistency, policy coherence, and long-term sector growth.

Practical Implications for Industry Stakeholders

i. Licensing and Permits

While the substantive requirements for film permits may remain unchanged, decision-making authority is now situated within a body with wider regulatory considerations. This may affect timelines, conditions, and coordination with other media-related approvals.

ii. Incentives and Industry Support

The creation of the Film Sector Committee suggests a more structured approach to incentives, funding, and strategic partnerships. Incentive schemes may increasingly align with broader cultural and economic objectives rather than ad hoc facilitation.

iii. Regulatory Predictability vs Strategic Flexibility

Centralisation offers coherence but may reduce the informal flexibility that characterised earlier regulatory practice. Stakeholders may face more standardised procedures but benefit from clearer long-term policy direction.

Conclusion

Dubai’s film and media regulation is not undergoing a legislative overhaul, but it is experiencing a profound institutional transformation. Executive Council Resolution No. 50 of 2014 remains the legal anchor of film regulation, yet its administration now falls within a modernised, centralised media governance structure.

For the film and television industry, this signals a shift from facilitation-driven regulation toward strategic, ecosystem-based governance a development that will shape how creative content is regulated, supported, and promoted in Dubai in the years ahead.

References:

Dubai Film and TV Office, ‘Terms and Conditions’ (FilmDubai.gov.ae) https://www.filmdubai.gov.ae/s/terms-and-condition accessed 9 February 2026.

Dubai Development Authority, Dubai Media City / Studios Regulatory Framework (PDF, DDA) https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/0070B97319AE4EC78419A12DF8CFEB08.pdf accessed 9 February 2026.

Dubai Film and TV Office, ‘About Us’ (FilmDubai.gov.ae) https://www.filmdubai.gov.ae/s/site/aboutus accessed 9 February 2026.

Dubai Media Office, ‘Dubai Media Council Expanded Authority’ (MediaOffice.ae, 18 December 2024) https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/december/18-12/dmc accessed 9 February 2026.

We Dubai, ‘Dubai New Media Laws 2024’ (We-Dubai.ae) https://we-dubai.ae/dubai-new-media-laws-2024/ accessed 9 February 2026.

Khaleej Times, ‘National Media Authority Established to Streamline & Regulate Media Content’ (KhaleejTimes.com) https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/national-media-authority-established-streamline-regulate-media-content accessed 9 February 2026.

Khaleej Times, ‘UAE New Media Regulation & Fine Penalties’ (KhaleejTimes.com) https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-new-media-regulation-fine-penalties accessed 9 February 2026.

Dubai Media Office, ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Issues Decree Reconstituting the Dubai Media Council’ (MediaOffice.ae, 12 May 2025) https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/may/12-05/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-decree-reconstituting-the-dubai-media-council accessed 9 February 2026.

Gulf News, ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Issues Law Reconstituting Dubai Media Council’ (GulfNews.com) https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/bjmygbw-mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-reconstituting-1.500124757 accessed 9 February 2026.

Mondaq, ‘New Media Regulations in the Emirates: What Changes for Digital Businesses and Professionals’ (Mondaq.com) https://www.mondaq.com/social-media/1638920/new-media-regulations-in-the-emirates-what-changes-for-digital-businesses-and-professionals accessed 9 February 2026.

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