Website Terms and Conditions
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE (the "Terms") CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE.
Whether you are simply browsing or using www.filmdubai.gov.ae (the "Website") or purchase any services from Dubai Film and TV Commission (the "Commission"), your use of this Website and your electronic acceptance of these Terms signifies that you have read, understand, acknowledge and agree to be bound by these Terms, along with the following policies and the applicable product agreements, which are incorporated herein by reference:
- Privacy Policy
- Filming and Photography Permit Application Terms
- Filming Permit Fees
- Script Approval Terms
- Payment Terms
The terms "we", "us" or "our" shall refer to the Commission. The terms "You" or "your" shall refer to any individual or entity who accepts these Terms or is the ultimate recipient of the services provided by the Commission, has access to your account or otherwise uses the services provided by the Commission.
1. YOUR USE OF the Website
You agree to access and use the Website only for lawful purposes. You are solely responsible for the knowledge of and adherence to any and all laws, statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to your use of the Website. By accessing the Website, you agree that you will not:
- use the Website to commit a criminal offense or to encourage others to engage in any conduct which would constitute a criminal offense;
- use the Website in a way to give rise to civil liability or encourage others to engage in any conduct which would give rise to civil liability;
- use the Website to impersonate other parties or entities;
- use the Website to upload any content that contains a software virus, "Trojan Horse" or any other computer code, files, or programs that may alter, damage, or interrupt the functionality of the Website or the hardware or software of any other person who accesses the Website;
- upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any materials that you do not have a right to transmit under any law or contractual relationship;
- alter, damage, or delete any content posted on the Website;
- disrupt the Website or its servers or networks in any way; or
- claim a relationship with or represent any business, association, or other organization with which you are not authorized to claim such a relationship or to represent.
2. YOUR PASSWORDS AND ACCOUNT SECURITY
- You agree and understand that you are responsible for maintaining the security and confidentiality of passwords associated with any account you use on the Website.
- Accordingly, you agree that you will be solely responsible to the Commission for all activities that occur under your account. If you become aware of any unauthorized use of your password or of your account, you agree to notify the Commission immediately by email to info@filmdubai.gov.ae
3. INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE
In order to use certain aspects of the Website, you may be required to provide information about yourself. You agree that any information you give to the Commission will always be accurate, correct and up to date. To learn how the Commission may use such information please see the Privacy Policy.
4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
- Service marks and trademarks contained in or displayed on the Website, and the contents of linked sites operated by third parties, are the property of their respective owners (which may be the Commission). All other design, information, text, graphics, images, pages, interfaces, links, software, and other items and materials contained in or displayed on the Website, and the selection and arrangements thereof, are the property of the Commission. All rights are reserved.
- The Commission respects the intellectual property of others and it asks its users to do the same. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement via its display on, or other use by, the Website, you may contact the Commission by email to info@filmdubai.gov.ae
5. LINKS TO SITES OF NON-CITY ENTITIES
The Website may contain links to other sites on the Internet that are operated by parties other than the Commission. The Commission does not imply approval of the listed destinations, warrant the accuracy of any information set out in those destinations, or endorse any opinions expressed therein. Like the Website, all other websites operate under the auspices and at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of those sites.
6. DISCLAIMERS
- WEBSITE AND ALL MATERIALS CONTAINED ON IT ARE DISTRIBUTED AND TRANSMITTED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE QUALITY, CONTENT, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENCY, FREEDOM FROM INTERRUPTION, FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUS, FREEDOM FROM ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF CONTENT PLACED ON WEBSITE (WHETHER BY THE CITY OR A THIRD PARTY) INCLUDING ANY OF THE DESIGN, INFORMATION, TEXT, GRAPHICS, IMAGES, PAGES, INTERFACES, LINKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER MATERIALS AND ITEMS CONTAINED IN OR DISPLAYED ON WEBSITE.
- THE Commission IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY WERE FORESEEABLE) THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, WEBSITE AND/OR THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON WEBSITE WHETHER THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSION OR A THIRD PARTY.
- ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF WEBSITE IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR OTHER DEVICE OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.
- CHANGES ARE MADE PERIODICALLY TO THE Commission's processes, RULES, FORMS AND SCHEDULES, AND THESE CHANGES MAY OR MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY REFLECTED IN THE MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PRESENT ON WEBSITE.
7. Indemnity and Warranty
In the consideration of the Commission permitting any filming activity (the "Activity") pursuant to your application on the Website:
(a) You HEREBY INDEMNIFY the Commission on Your own behalf as well as on behalf of the ultimate user of the filming permit against:
(i) any loss, claim, damages, demands, actions, proceedings, costs or expenses or other liability for the death of or personal injury to any person whomsoever;
(ii) any loss, claim, damages, demands, actions, proceedings, costs or expenses or other liability howsoever arising for any damage to any property (real or personal) of any party, (including property of the Commission or the place where the shooting takes place or for any nuisance or annoyance including but not limited to obstruction; arising out of or caused by or as a consequence of the carrying out of the Activity including any loss, in relation to (i) and (ii) above caused by or as a consequence of any wrongful, negligent or deliberate act or omission of any person or persons under my/our control.
(b) You warrant that:
(i) the site of the Activity detailed in this application (the "Location") has been examined by You and found suitable and safe for the carrying out of the Activity.
(ii) You will provide sufficient and appropriate stewards or attendants to ensure full supervision, safe use of and preservation of order on the Location and surrounding area during the carrying out of the Activity.
(iii) You have effected all necessary insurances relative to all risks appertaining to the Activity at levels acceptable to the Commission [and mentioning the Commission as an insured party] and will produce evidence of such insurances at any time either prior to or during the Activity if called upon to do so. (For the avoidance of doubt, a copy of the public liability insurance policy must be submitted to the Commission).
(iv) the Activity will be carried out strictly in accordance with the terms of the Filming Permit Terms, applicable laws, byelaw, regulation or other mandatory requirement, code of practice, direction or other recognized or safe method of execution relative to the Activity now or which may be in force for the duration of the Activity.
(v) You will comply with any directions imposed upon us either prior to or during
the Activity by a police officer or an officer of the Commission or other proper authority in relation to the conduct of the Activity and in particular but not limited to road traffic regulations.
(vi) You have obtained (or will prior to commencement of the Activity), all necessary licences, permissions and consents to carry out the Activity and hereby acknowledge and confirm that completion of the Application and execution of this indemnity in no way absolves You of your obligations in this respect.
(vii) You will on completion of the Activity promptly remove all props, tracking, vehicles, equipment, rubbish, litter and other matter belonging to or brought with or for me/us and leave the Location and surrounding area in at least as clean, tidy and state of repair as prior to the commencement of the Activity.
(c) You declare that You understand these Terms and do hereby INDEMNIFY the Commission and its servants, agents and contractors and further warrant to comply with all requirements as set out in this Website.
8. MISCELLANEOUS TERMS
- Nothing contained in or displayed on the Website or in these Terms constitutes or is intended to constitute legal advice by the Commission or any of its agencies, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, or representatives.
- You agree that if the Commission does not exercise or enforce any legal right or remedy which is contained in the Terms (or which the Commission otherwise has under applicable law), such omission will not be taken to be a formal waiver of the Commission's rights and shall not be construed to be a modification of the Terms.
- If any court of competent jurisdiction rules that any provision of these Terms is invalid, then that provision will be removed from the Terms without affecting the rest of the Terms. The remaining provisions of the Terms will continue to be valid and enforceable.
- The Terms, and your relationship with the Commission under the Terms, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Dubai. You agree that any and all claims asserted by or against the Commission arising under or related to the Terms shall solely be heard and determined by the courts of Dubai.
- The Commission reserves the right to revise and otherwise change the Terms at any time and without notice. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting, unless otherwise stated. Your continued use of the Website following the posting of any modification signifies your acceptance thereof. You should periodically visit this page to review the current Terms and Conditions of Use.
- The Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the Commission with respect to your use of the Website and they supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between you and the Commission with respect to the Website. The Terms shall be deemed to include all other notices, policies, disclaimers and other terms contained in the Website and its subpages; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict between such other terms and these Terms, these Terms shall control.
PRIVACY POLICY
The following Privacy Policy applies to www.filmdubai.gov.ae (the "Website") and should be read in conjunction with the Website Terms and Conditions.
The submission of the any information by you on the Website and/or your access or use of the Website will be deemed as your agreement to this Privacy Policy.
1. Disclosure of Information
Dubai Film and TV Commission (the "Commission") may disclose: (i) any information that it gathers about you or the applicant of the services (each, "you" or the "Applicant") to third parties for the purposes of providing you with the services; (ii) to the Commission's professional advisers or employees; (iii) to any other third party with the Applicant's consent, or (iv) as may be required by law or by the rules of any governmental or other regulatory body or a court of law.
2. Use
The Commission uses the information it collects: (a) to assist in the provision of the services offered to the Applicant; (b) to provide further information to you about other websites and services or which the Commission considers may be of interest to you; (c) for future marketing, promotional and publicity purposes, including to carry out direct marketing, market research and surveys; (d) for ensuring that you are shown the information that is most relevant to you and your interests; and (e) for any other use that the authorise.
3. Cookies and Tracking
The Commission uses a "cookie" file containing information that can identify details of your IP address, operating system (e.g. Microsoft Windows, Mac O/S, Linux), Browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, plus the version of the Browser), domain (whether you are accessing the Website from Dubai or elsewhere) and other user information (e.g. your username).
The Commission may use the information generated by cookies to: (a) track traffic patterns to and from the Website; (b) ensure any Posting is being shown to the most appropriate person; and (c) enable you to enter the Website and use certain services.
You can choose to refuse cookies by turning them off in your browser and/or deleting them from your hard drive. You do not need to have cookies turned on to use the Website but, in case you are provided with personal log in information, you will need them to log on to the Website and to access personalized or secure content on the Website. Some web pages may not function properly if the cookies are turned off.
4. Content Providers, Advertisers and Partners
The Commission is not responsible for the data collection practices, the privacy policies or the content of websites other than this Website, including any websites that are accessible via a link from this Website. You should contact the operators of those third party websites directly if you wish to enquire about their privacy practices and policy before providing your personal information to any third party. The Commission is not responsible for and does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the availability, contents, productions, services or use of any third party website, any website accessed from a third party website or any changes or updates to such websites. The Commission makes no guarantees about the content or quality of the productions or services provided by such websites.
5. Opting in and Opting Out
The Commission will give you the option to: (a) opt out and not receive certain services or participate in certain interactive areas; or (b) opt in to agree to be contacted by the Commission in relation to certain matters such as notification of new features to the Website, beta testing or promotional activities.
6. Holding, Correcting and Updating Information
The Commission offers you the ability to correct or change the information collected at any time and as often as necessary. If you have any questions about how the Commission services work or regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact the Commission by sending an email to info@filmdubai.gov.ae
7. Amendments
The Commission reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time and without providing you with notice of such changes. You agree that your continued use of the Website shall constitute your acceptance of the modified Privacy Policy, and you agree that all previous versions of the Privacy Policy are superseded by the modified version.
FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT APPLICATION TERMS
Process
- Filming and photography permit requests for properties operated by either Semi Government, Private or Government requiring third party permission (including but not limited to locations operated by Dubai Municipality, RTA, Dubai Culture, Dubai Airports & DTCM) require an estimated time of 5 working days for permits to be issued, provided that all necessary documents are submitted along with the application. A longer time period may be required in some cases.
- Filming and photography permit requests for Government operated properties require an estimated time of 3 working days for permits to be issued, provided that all necessary documents are submitted along with the application. A longer time period may be required in some cases.
- Please note that in the UAE, business days are Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as weekend days. Public holidays are not considered as business days.
- Any scripted content requesting a filming permit must have prior script approval.
Documents
The following documents need to be submitted with each application:
- Valid UAE Production Trade License of the applicant or for governmental organizations a letter confirming their status or for Emirati freelancers a copy of their passport confirming citizenship.
- Valid Passport and Visa Copies of - Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Location Manager (please note that some locations may require information on additional crew).
- A non-objection letter issued by the original company that commissioned the project, confirming that the UAE-licensed production company has been appointed to undertake the filming/photography and that it does not object to the production company carrying out the filming/photography.
- Non-refundable AED 800 filming permit application processing fee.
- Applicable payment for filming permit location fees.
- Public Liability insurance
- For all filming/photography taking place within the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, a refundable security deposit check of AED 20,000 may be required.
- For all filming/photography taking place in Dubai, location operators may require a security deposit or insurance with location as additional insured.
- The Commission reserves the right to request additional documents as necessary and reject any applications that do not include all required supporting documents.
The following documents need to be submitted per location with the exception of Government locations not requiring third party approval:
- Script pages and/or storyboards
- Letter of Intent from the local production company explaining its intentions for filming/photograph at the specified location)
- Equipment list that will be brought onsite at the selected location
- Risk Assessment (where applicable, not mandatory)
- For certain locations there is an additional Location Owner information form, provided by the location which is mandatory if requested
Filming
- The Applicant shall only be permitted to film/photograph in the specified areas and for the specified time periods as approved by the Commission.
- The Applicant's crew shall take all necessary precautions and measures with regard to general safety and security during filming.
- Any international crew will be permitted to arrive on site pursuant to approval of the script and issuance of a filming/photography permit by the Commission. All international crew must have valid work or business visas in order to be involved in the filming/photography.
- All international companies shall appoint a company with a valid UAE production trade license to conduct the filming/photography. The UAE-licensed production company shall procure work or business visas for all crew who will be involved in the filming/photography. The Commission will not directly issue filming permits to any international companies.
- The Applicant shall not film/photograph in restricted areas including (without limitation) government departments, ministries, royal palaces, military outposts and oil refineries.
- The key individuals from the Applicant listed on the application form must receive permission from the Commission to film/photograph on site.
- The Applicant shall not film/photograph any scenes projecting disrespect to social perspectives, culture and values of the United Arab Emirates.
- The Applicant shall not film/photograph any scenes that may reflect unethically or negatively upon any economic, political or ideological issues.
Rules and Regulations
- The Applicant shall obtain appropriate visas for all international crew.
- The Applicant shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Dubai.
- A breach by the Applicant of any of the terms and conditions on the permit application form shall result in the immediate termination of the filming/photography permit by the Commission without any prior notice of any kind or court order. The Commission shall not be liable to the Applicant for any costs and/or losses due to a cancellation of the permit at any stage during or after the process. The Commission reserves all other rights and remedies available under the law.
- The Commission shall not be liable to the Applicant for any costs and/or losses due to arrival of production-related crew in the UAE prior or after filming/photography dates as specified in filming/photography permit.
- The Applicant shall indemnify any and all third parties against any losses or damages caused to any person or property (including loss or damage to any person or property of the Commission or any third party on whose premises the filming/photography takes place) whether arising before, during or after filming/photography and shall indemnify the Commission against any claims or other liabilities that may arise as a result of any actions of the Applicant, the Commission granting the filming/photography permit to the Applicant and/or any breach of the terms and conditions of the permit application form.
- The Commission shall be entitled to cancel a filming/photography permit or reject a script without any prior notice or reasons provided to the Applicant.
- The information provided in this application is believed to be accurate and reliable.
Insurance
The Applicant shall maintain public liability insurance covering the Commission as an insured party as well as insurance for all crew, equipment, locations and workmen's compensation.
FILMING PERMIT FEES
Application Processing Fee
There is a non-refundable processing fee of AED 800 per application. A single application can include permit requests for multiple days and locations.
Location fees
Standard location fees for all public and most semi government locations in Dubai are defined as per Executive Decision no 16, issued in 2012 by the Dubai Government Executive Council, which established the Dubai Film and TV Commission (the "Commission").
Public Locations
Filming permits for public locations are valid for 24 hours. The location fee is AED 2,000 per day, regardless of the number of public locations used in a single day.
Semi Government Locations
The location fee for the filming permits for outdoor semi government locations is AED 8,000 per half day (12 hours) and AED 15,000 per whole day (24 hours) for each outdoor semi government location used within the half-day or whole-day timeframe. The location fee for indoor semi government locations is AED 13,000 per half day and AED 25,000 per whole day for each indoor semi government location used within the half-day or whole-day timeframe respectively. Where any owner owns one or more semi government location, any of those semi government locations may be used by the permit holder during the same day so long as the permit holder has paid the highest fee applicable for any one of the semi government locations.
Private Locations
The location fee for private locations (including but not limited to, studios, sound stages, private villas, restaurants, retailers, malls and sports complexes) are at the discretion of the location owner and may vary depending upon demand and production requirements. Applicants still need to apply through the Commission for a filming permit for private locations but any location fees charged, will be directly between the applicant and the location owner and not through the Commission.
All semi government and private locations reserve the right to pass onto the production company any additional fees incurred by the location during filming, such as clean-up, security and additional services.
Permit Fees Index
| Duration | Public Locations (AED) | Semi Government Locations* (AED) | Private Locations (AED) |
| | | Outdoor Filming | Indoor Filming | |
| Half Day (12 hrs) | 2,000 | 8,000 | 13,000 | At the discretion of the location owner |
| Whole Day (24 hrs)** | 15,000 | 25,000 |
*The above permit fees for semi government locations apply to the majority of locations available for filming, including sites operated by established entities such as Jumeirah, Emaar, Nakheel, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Properties and Meydan.
**Whole and half day periods are calculated per calendar day, i.e. from 00:00-23:59hrs.
PAYMENT TERMS
MANUAL APPLICATIONS
Process and Location Fees can be made either via cash or Visa, MasterCard or Amex. Completed forms and payment can be remitted in person to the DFTC Office:
Dubai Film and TV Commission
Dubai Media City, Building 2, Ground Floor Management Office
Dubai, UAE
ONLINE APPLICATIONS
Process and Location Fees can be made online by either Visa or MasterCard or in cash by visiting the DFTC Office in person:
Dubai Film and TV Commission
Dubai Media City, Building 2, Ground Floor Management Office
Dubai, UAE
Refunds of location fees for public and semi government locations will be issued for cancellations that are requested at least three business days before the filming date. Refunds will not be issued on cancellations made less than three business days before the filming date. The AED 800 processing fee per filming permit application is non-refundable in any instance.
There is currently no charge for Script Approval requests.
