twofour54 is a UAE state-owned media and entertainment production company located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[1] Many major Hollywood productions have done production work in twofour54's facilities.[2]

twofour54
Formation2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
FounderAbu Dhabi Development Holding Company
HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Location
  • United Arab Emirates
Parent organization
Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company
Websitetwofour54.com

Location and area

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twofour54 is located in and named after the geographical coordinates of Abu Dhabi (24° N, 54° E), capital of the United Arab Emirates.[3] The media free zone's main campus is located on the mainland (Yas Island).[2] It also operates a 70,000 square meter backlot in Kizad[4] and production studios in Mussafah,[5] with plans to expand to build their Yas Creative Hub on Yas Island by the fourth quarter of 2021.[6]

Background

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The media free zone twofour54 was founded in 2008.[7] It falls under Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company's remit,[8][9] as a government-backed media and creative industries hub.[10] Former Universal executive Wayne Borg joined the company as chief commercial officer, a role in which he served until 2013.[11]

In 2012, twofour54 took over the operation of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival,[10] until its demise in 2015.[12]

In 2020, Michael Garin was appointed CEO of twofour54.[13]

The zone is home to a large number of international and local media companies,[14] and offers infrastructure and support, such as end-to-end production services,[15] government and travel services,[15] 100% business ownership,[16] and set-up and licensing.[17]

twofour54 houses media companies in the audio, visual, and print industries,[18][19][20] as well as news outlets and digital app creators.[21][22][23] Their facilities also host the first CNN Academy.[2][24]

As of 2020, more than 550 media companies and over 700 freelancers are based at twofour54, which has been involved in over 2,300 international major productions in Abu Dhabi.[14]

Notable films produced at twofour54 include Mission: Impossible – Fallout,[25] 6 Underground[26] and Bharat.[13]

Past productions at twofour54 intaj

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2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Notable companies at twofour54

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Abu Dhabi Media Summit: interview with Wayne Borg, Twofour54". The Guardian. 16 October 2013. ISSN 0261-3077. Twofour54 was set up as an initiative of the Abu Dhabi government with a vision to contribute to the diversification of the economy there.
  2. ^ a b c d e "CNN, Ubisoft Set to Join Abu Dhabi's Yas Creative Hub Development". Hollywood Reporter. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Reaching for a Higher Profile, Abu Dhabi Opens a Hub for Western Media - The New York Times". The New York Times. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  4. ^ Newbould, Chris (29 April 2018). "A look inside twofour54's Kizad backlot". The National. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Inside 'Inheritance', the first ever Arab soap opera being filmed in UAE | Arab-celebs – Gulf News". Gulfnews.com. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  6. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (25 November 2020). "Abu Dhabi Announces Yas Creative Hub For Entertainment Industry". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Commentary: Media in the UAE: The Abu Dhabi powerhouse". Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  8. ^ "State-owned Abu Dhabi firms transferred to new parent company". The National. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  9. ^ "11 Abu Dhabi entities come under one roof". gulfnews.com. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b Levine, Sydney (9 August 2012). "Peter Scarlet Leaves and is now former director of Abu Dhabi Film Festival". Medium. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Wayne Borg's Exit From Abu Dhabi's Twofour54 Raises Questions for Middle Eastern Industry". Hollywood Reporter. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  12. ^ Arora, Vibhuti (7 May 2015). "Abu Dhabi Film Festival to be discontinued". BroadcastPro ME. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Vivarelli, Nick (3 February 2020). "U.S. Exec Michael Garin Appointed CEO of UAE Media Hub twofour54". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Why have media producers flocked to Abu Dhabi". Oxford Business Group. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Director-General of Abu Dhabi Media Office and CEO of twofour54 discusses the city's booming media industry with business leaders in New York and Los Angeles - The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council". Usuaebusiness.org. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Setting up a company in twofour54 Free Zone". Virtuzone. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  17. ^ WAM (9 November 2009). "Freelance license holders eligible for residence visa | Uae – Gulf News". Gulf News. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Abu Dhabi's twofour54 bets big on film | WIRED Middle East". Wired.me. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Cannes 2012: Abu Dhabi's twofour54 to Launch Production Incentives". Hollywood Reporter. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Spectrum Digital Print Solutions Continues Expansion With Opening Of Fourth Outlet In Twofour54, Abu Dhabi". UAE Today. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  21. ^ Staff Reporter (19 December 2013). "Malayalam digital radio to hit airwaves - News". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  22. ^ "CNN unveils upgraded, high-tech studio at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi". The National. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Flip Media expands into capital". The National. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  24. ^ "CNN launches Academy in Abu Dhabi". CNN IC. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  25. ^ a b "'Mission: Impossible – Fallout': Why the Biggest Stunt Saw Abu Dhabi Stand in for Paris". Hollywood Reporter. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  26. ^ a b Rai, Sarakshi (3 October 2019). "Trailer: Ryan Reynolds stars in new Netflix thriller 6 Underground filmed in Abu Dhabi". Esquire Middle East. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Cannes 2012: Abu Dhabi's twofour54 to Launch Production Incentives". Hollywood Reporter. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  28. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (16 October 2014). "Abu Dhabi: twofour54 Thrives as Mideast's Content Capital". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g "Why Bollywood is smitten with Abu Dhabi". The Financial Express. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  30. ^ Barraclough, Leo (21 May 2014). "Why 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Decided to Shoot in Abu Dhabi (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  31. ^ Nagraj, Aarti (19 May 2014). "Hollywood Movie Fast & Furious 7 Completes Filming In Abu Dhabi". Gulf Business. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  32. ^ "'Fast & Furious 7' to Film in Abu Dhabi". Hollywood Reporter. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  33. ^ Schreck, Adam (17 March 2014). "'The Bold and the Beautiful' lands in the Emirates". Washingtonexaminer.com. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  34. ^ "'The World Keeps Spinning' for Will Smith's DJ son in the UAE!". Al Bawaba. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Abu Dhabi's SWAT team film scenes for new TV show with actor Clive Standen". The National. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  36. ^ "UAE director Al Murry returns with horror comedy 'Ghost' | Arab-celebs – Gulf News". Gulfnews.com. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  37. ^ Pereira, Nikhil (8 April 2020). "twoFour54 reveals filming key scenes of Sonic the Hedgehog in Abu Dhabi". ITP.net. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  38. ^ "twofour54 announces wrap of Bollywood film 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' in Abu Dhabi". BroadcastPro ME. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Edelman UAE Shifts HQ To twoFour54 Media Zone In Abu Dhabi". AM Marketing, Media, Advertising News in MENA. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Fox International partners with Abu Dhabi firm". Reuters. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  41. ^ Nagraj, Aarti (22 May 2017). "Abu Dhabi's Aldar wins deal to develop twofour54's new freezone in Yas Island". Gulf Business. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  42. ^ "The National, twofour54, Building 6,, Abu Dhabi (2021)". www.findglocal.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  43. ^ Brenda (15 August 2018). "twofour54 – Growing Media Freezone In Abu Dhabi - Riz & Mona Blog". Riz & Mona. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Rapid TV News - Sky News Arabia seals cross platform carriage deals". www.rapidtvnews.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Sport 360 plans online overhaul". The National. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
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