As part of the inaugural session of the “Film and Digital Games Forum,” organized by the Dubai Film and Digital Games Office under the Dubai Media Council’s Arab Media Summit 2025, a discussion titled “City of Stories and Opportunities” took place. This session featured Emirati director Ali Mustafa and was moderated by Ahmad Abdullah, the director of Dubai TV, with a significant turnout of content creators, filmmakers, and digital gaming enthusiasts.
During the discussion, Ali Mustafa shared insights from his pioneering work on the “City of Life” film series, covering both its first and second parts. He reflected on his extensive cinematic journey, starting from his feature film “Dar Al-Hay” to his more recent creative endeavors, highlighting the challenges he encountered and the opportunities arising from the increasing support for the creative sector in the UAE.
Mustafa emphasized that Dubai has evolved into a hub for stories and opportunities, not just a filming location. He noted that the city nurtures talent and offers advanced infrastructure that facilitates both film and television production as well as digital gaming. He praised the significant role of the Dubai Film and Digital Games Office in creating a supportive and encouraging environment for creators.
He also pointed out that Dubai is now a sanctuary for creatives, providing effective platforms for idea and vision exchange, contributing to the production of Arabic artistic and media content that can compete on a global scale.
The Emirati director stated that the “City of Life” films aimed to portray Dubai in a realistic and humanistic light, moving away from stereotypes. He mentioned that the second part was a natural progression following the success of the first. He underscored the importance of developing a comprehensive Arab film industry that learns from global successes while being rooted in the region’s reality.
He delivered an inspirational message to young content creators and media professionals, urging them to maintain their passion, strive for excellence, and leverage technological advancements to narrate local stories. He added that film production tools have become more accessible than ever, but the true challenge lies in telling a compelling story creatively.
Film Production
In conjunction with the Film and Digital Games Forum, coordinated with Olsberg.SPI, discussions focused on how film production can stimulate creative economies and enhance its global standing.
The session analyzed global case studies related to effective cinema policies, providing insights into why governments invest in film production and its tangible benefits. The event became a catalyst for conversations on how the Arab region can leverage these opportunities through policy innovation, strategic investment, and sector development.
The discussion highlighted five key economic advantages of film production: rapid economic support, where film production is considered a fast-return economic activity that generates significant, immediate spending in local economies through the engagement of actors, crews, and suppliers. Additionally, it creates job opportunities across a wide range of technical and creative specializations.
Other benefits include the impact on supply chains, with expenses covering accommodation, catering, transport, and other activities, stimulating multiple sectors simultaneously and enhancing the economic impact. Furthermore, the film industry attracts foreign investments, drawing international production projects that provide foreign capital to host countries, functioning similarly to foreign direct investment.
Beyond the economic aspects, the session discussed how film production can significantly elevate a nation’s global stature and cultural standing. For instance, film tourism creates lasting impressions through international content, encouraging tourists to visit filming locations.
The session affirmed that cinematic content is a significant soft power, serving as a cultural ambassador that enhances identity, increases international influence, and supports diplomatic, commercial, and investment agendas. Film productions also reinforce community norms and values and can enhance the credibility and role of cultural institutions, while contributing to leadership in the media and creative sectors.
Concluding the session was a call to action for the Arab world to fully capitalize on the benefits of the film sector through collaborative policy-making, infrastructure development, and investment in creative talent.
The Success of Drama
Participants in the session focused on the success of drama in the digital era, held during the Film and Digital Games Forum at the Arab Media Summit, highlighted that the key elements of drama success lie primarily in the selection of content and storytelling, followed by actor casting and advancements in production technology.
The session, held on the second day of the Arab Media Summit within the 23rd Film and Digital Games Forum, featured notable figures including director Mohamed Sami, Tarek Al-Ibrahim, General Manager of the mc1 and mc Drama channels, and Ahmed Qandil, Direct-to-Consumer Business Manager at the Shahid platform, moderated by Sara Dandrawi from Al Arabiya.
Director Mohamed Sami asserted that drama has become an integral part of Arab culture, pointing out that the region has a passion for human stories that resonate with real-life experiences within households. He also discussed the evolving tastes of Arab viewers and how digital platforms cater to a more diverse and conscious audience.
Meanwhile, Tarek Al-Ibrahim noted that digital platforms offer broader creative freedom compared to traditional television broadcasting, both in terms of topics and boldness in presentation, reiterating that script quality remains the fundamental element of any dramatic success, regardless of technological advancements.
Ahmed Qandil emphasized that local and Arab productions must meet global standards in both visual and narrative quality to maintain competitiveness in this vital industry. He highlighted the role of data in shaping production decisions, explaining how viewing analytics and audience data guide accurate decisions about content types, durations, and airing times.
Director Sami highlighted the importance of understanding cultural and geographical differences among various Arab markets when producing dramatic content, advocating for choosing narratives that resonate with viewers as humans, irrespective of geographical or cultural backgrounds. He noted that human-centered dramas appeal to diverse Arab and global tastes.
Qandil discussed balancing the provision of ad-supported free content with paid content that maintains quality and generates sustainable profits, pointing out that digital platforms operate at a different pace compared to traditional television, catering to a wide array of tastes and age groups by enabling users to create both adult and children’s accounts.
Al-Ibrahim indicated that platforms are moving towards shorter, compact series, where each episode is akin to a short film lasting up to 50 minutes, as these platforms offer flexibility in viewing and are not confined to time constraints or regulations, unlike traditional television which is bound by rules and specific airing times. Director Sami added that any show that succeeds on television has the potential to succeed on digital platforms, though the reverse may not hold true due to the regulatory standards governing television screens.