Entertainment, Media And Film Production

Entertainment, Media, and Film Production encompasses the creation, development, and distribution of various forms of entertainment content, including films, television shows, music, digital media, and other related products. ‍

The UAE cinema sector alone generated AED 800 million in 2024 across 1,262 films and 15 million tickets sold, holding 30% of the Middle East cinema market share¹, and the country is the fastest-growing media and entertainment sub-market in the region, projected to expand at 11.08% CAGR through 2031².

This industry involves a range of activities such as scriptwriting, casting, production planning, set design, filming, editing, post-production, marketing, and distribution. It brings together a diverse group of professionals, including filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, technicians, musicians, and creative professionals, who collaborate to bring captivating and engaging content to audiences worldwide through various mediums such as cinemas, television, streaming platforms, and other digital channels.

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Dubai’s Entertainment & Media Sector at a Glance

Dubai sits at the centre of the region’s creative economy, with both ambitious production infrastructure and the highest growth rate in the Middle East media and entertainment market. The numbers below show why founders are increasingly setting up production, post-production, and distribution operations through the city.

Almost a third of all Middle East cinema revenue now flows through the UAE: 30% market share, AED 800M generated in 2024 across 1,262 films and 15M+ tickets, with the wider media and entertainment market growing at 11.08% CAGR through 2031, the fastest pace in MENA. Founders are no longer choosing Dubai by accident.

Source: UAE Media Council via Stories Over Art; Mordor Intelligence Middle East Media and Entertainment Market 2026.

The 7 Activity Codes at a Glance

The business activities that fall under Entertainment, Media and Film Production are listed below. Use the table to find the activity code that matches your business model, then read the detailed section underneath for a full description, third-party approval requirement, and AML status.

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Detailed Activity Code Descriptions

Retail sale of music and video recordings in specialised stores (4762.00)

This class of business involves the physical retailing of music and video recordings, where customers can browse and purchase a wide range of recorded music and video content. Specialised stores in this industry typically offer a variety of genres and formats, catering to different tastes and preferences.

What this code covers

Specialised retail of:

• Musical records and audio tapes
• Compact discs and cassettes
• Video tapes and DVDs
• Blank tapes and discs

The primary focus of this business activity is to provide consumers with a convenient and specialised retail experience for acquiring music and video content for personal enjoyment.

It plays a crucial role in distributing and making available entertainment content to consumers. These specialised stores serve as intermediaries between content creators and consumers, offering a dedicated retail experience for music and video enthusiasts.

Third-party Approval (POST): After obtaining a license from Meydan Free Zone, it’s necessary to obtain third-party approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 4762.00 is exempt from this requirement.

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Motion picture, video, and television programme activities (5910.00)

This encompasses a range of operations related to the creation, production, distribution, and projection of motion pictures, videos, and television programs.

What this code covers

This includes:

• Production of theatrical and non-theatrical motion pictures, recorded on film, videotape, DVD, or other media formats, including digital distribution for projection in theatres or broadcasting on television
• Supporting activities such as film editing, cutting, dubbing, and other post-production processes
• Distribution of motion pictures and other film productions, such as video tapes and DVDs, to various industries
• Buying and selling of distribution rights for motion pictures or any other film productions

This business activity directly contributes to the generation of entertainment content, involving the development of visual media for both theatrical and non-theatrical distribution.

It aligns with the broader industry’s goal of producing engaging and captivating content for audiences through various mediums, including film, video, and television.

Third-party Approval (POST): After obtaining a license from Meydan Free Zone, it’s necessary to obtain third-party approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 5910.00 is exempt from this requirement.

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Motion picture, video, and television programme production activities (5911.00)

This involves the creation and production of motion pictures, videos, television programs, or television commercials. This class includes the entire process of developing, shooting, and producing visual content for various media platforms.

What this code covers

Production-related tasks including:

• Scripting
• Casting
• Location scouting
• Filming
• Directing
• Editing
• Other production-related tasks

What this code excludes

This code does not cover:

• Film duplicating
• Reproduction of audio and video tapes or CDs
• Wholesale and retail trade of recorded video tapes, CDs, and DVDs
• Post-production activities
• Television broadcasting
• Film processing unrelated to the motion picture industry
• Activities of personal theatrical or artistic agents or agencies
• Renting of video tapes or DVDs to the general public
• Real-time closed captioning of live television performances
• Activities of actors, cartoonists, directors, stage designers, and technical specialists who work on their own accounts

Third-party Approval (POST): After obtaining a license from Meydan Free Zone, it’s necessary to obtain third-party approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 5911.00 is exempt from this requirement.

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Motion picture, video, and television programme post-production activities (5912.00)

This involves the final stages of production after filming or recording.

What this code covers

Post-production services including:

• Editing, titling, subtitling, and credits
• Closed captioning
• Computer-generated graphics and animation
• Special effects
• Film and tape transfers
• Activities of motion picture film laboratories, including developing and processing motion picture film
• Reproduction of motion picture film for theatrical distribution
• Activities of stock footage film libraries

What this code excludes

This code does not cover:

• Film duplicating, except for theatrical distribution
• Reproduction of audio and video tapes or CDs
• Wholesale and retail trade of recorded video tapes, CDs, and DVDs
• Film processing unrelated to the motion picture industry
• Renting of video tapes or DVDs to the general public
• Activities of individual actors, cartoonists, directors, stage designers, and technical specialists

Third-party Approval (POST): After obtaining a license from Meydan Free Zone, it’s necessary to obtain third-party approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 5912.00 is exempt from this requirement.

Motion Picture, Video, and Television Programme Distribution Activities (5913.00)

This involves the distribution of film, video tapes, DVDs, and similar productions to motion picture theatres, television networks and stations, and exhibitors. It encompasses the process of delivering content to various outlets for public viewing.

What this code covers

Distribution activities including:

• Distribution of film, video tapes, and DVDs to motion picture theatres
• Distribution of content to television networks, stations, and exhibitors
• Acquisition of distribution rights for film, video tape, and DVD releases

What this code excludes

This code does not cover:

• Film duplicating, except for theatrical distribution
• Reproduction of audio and video tapes, CDs, or DVDs from master copies
• Reproduction of motion picture film specifically for theatrical distribution

This business activity focuses on delivering motion pictures, video recordings, and television programs to theatres, television networks, stations, and exhibitors for public viewing.

By ensuring the availability and accessibility of entertainment media, it complements the broader goals of the industry to produce, promote, and distribute captivating content to audiences worldwide.

Third-party Approval (POST): After obtaining a license from Meydan Free Zone, it’s necessary to obtain third-party approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 5913.00 is exempt from this requirement.

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Photographic activities (7420.00)

This involves a range of operations related to the production, processing, and distribution of photographs.

What this code covers

Photography and related services including:

• Commercial and consumer photograph production for purposes such as passports, schools, weddings, commercials, publishing, fashion, real estate, tourism, and aerial photography
• Videotaping of events like weddings and meetings
• Film processing activities such as developing, printing, and enlarging from client-taken negatives or cine-films
• Operating film developing labs and one-hour photo shops
• Mounting of slides and retouching photographs
• Activities of photojournalists
• Microfilming of documents

What this code excludes

This code does not cover:

• Processing motion picture film related to the motion picture and television industries
• Cartographic and spatial information activities

By capturing and documenting visual moments, this activity aligns with the broader goals of the entertainment, media, and film production industry to create compelling and engaging visual content for audiences.

Third-party Approval: No third-party approvals are required for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 7420.00 is exempt from this requirement.

Creative, arts and entertainment activities (9000.00)

This involves the operation of facilities and provision of services that cater to the cultural and entertainment interests of customers. It encompasses the production, promotion, and participation in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing.

What this code covers

Creative and live arts activities including:

• Production of theatrical presentations, concerts, dance productions, and other stage productions by groups, companies, or individual artists
• Operation of concert and theatre halls
• Activities of sculptors, painters, writers, and journalists
• Restoration of works of art
• Activities of producers or entrepreneurs of live arts events

What this code excludes

This code does not cover:

• Stained glass window restoration
• Statue manufacturing
• Motion picture and video production
• Operation of cinemas
• Personal theatrical or artistic agency services
• Ticket agencies
• Museum operations
• Sports and recreation activities
• Non-museum furniture restoration

By contributing to the development and promotion of artistic content and experiences, this activity aligns with the broader industry’s goal of producing and delivering engaging entertainment and media products to audiences.

Third-party Approval: No third-party approvals are required for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 9000.00 is exempt from this requirement.

Citations

¹ Stories Over Art, citing the UAE Media Council. The Rise of the GCC’s Film Industry. Stories Over Art, November 2024.

² Mordor Intelligence. Middle East Media and Entertainment Market Size, Share & Forecast 2026-2031. Mordor Intelligence, January 2026.