Cannes: The Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC) is participating in the 79th Cannes Film Festival, held from 12 to 23 May 2026, in Cannes, France, as part of broader efforts to deepen engagement with the international film industry and strengthen the emirate's position within the worldwide production landscape.
According to Emirates News Agency, the participation reflects the Commission's continued focus on building long-term relationships with international studios, producers, and industry stakeholders while spotlighting Dubai's growing production capabilities, infrastructure, talent, and creative ecosystem. A DFGC delegation led by Hesham Al Olama, CEO of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, met with a range of global studios, producers, and industry stakeholders during the festival to explore opportunities for collaboration, creative exchange, and future partnerships, showcasing the scale and diversity of Dubai's production expertise.
Dubai's participation in Cannes comes as the emirate continues to advance a broader vision for the development of its film industry through enhanced coordination, infrastructure development, talent initiatives, and international outreach. Hesham Sultan Al Olama stated that Dubai's participation reflects the next phase of engagement with the international film industry and aims to establish Dubai as a leading global hub for film production. The Cannes festival, being one of the industry's most important spaces for dialogue and partnership-building, represents an opportunity for Dubai to strengthen relationships, promote the UAE film industry, and position the emirate as a place where international productions can develop ambitious projects.
Samr Almarzooqi, Film Commissioner at DFGC, emphasized that Dubai's participation in Cannes signifies the increasing attention it is attracting from the international filmmaking community. The festival provides a strategic platform to present Dubai's value proposition, from its expanding ecosystem and infrastructure to the rapid emergence of new ideas, talent, and partnerships. It also offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of global filmmaking and the role Dubai can play within that future.
In recent years, Dubai has grown in profile as a production center, offering filmmakers access to world-class infrastructure, global connectivity, and diverse filming locations. The emirate serves as an operational base for productions across the Middle East, with streamlined permitting and faster production processes supported by strong government coordination. Recent international productions serviced in Dubai, such as Amazon Prime Video's "Jack Ryan" and Netflix's Korean drama "Genie, Make a Wish," reflect the city's growing ability to support high-profile productions.
The Cannes participation aligns with the Dubai Films and Games Commission's mandate to support the long-term development of Dubai's film and gaming sectors through industry partnerships, ecosystem development, regulatory advancement, and international collaborations. Established under the Dubai Media Council, the Commission serves as the primary regulatory and development entity for Dubai's film and gaming industries.