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twofour54

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twofour54
Formation2008
FounderGovernment Backed Initiative
HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Location
  • United Arab Emirates
Parent organization
Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company
Websitetwofour54.com

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

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 300,000 square meter backlot in Kizad[4][5] and production studios in Mussafah,[6] with Yas Creative Hub on Yas Island.[7]

Background

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The media free zone twofour54 was founded in 2008.[8] It falls under Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company's remit,[9][10] as a government-backed media and creative industries hub.[11] Former Universal executive Wayne Borg joined the company as chief commercial officer, a role in which he served until 2013.[12]

In 2012, twofour54 took over the operation of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival,[11] until its demise in 2015.[13]

In February 2015, twofour54 entered into a strategic partnership with Ericsson, under which Ericsson acquired twofour54's playout operations. As part of the agreement, Ericsson established a broadcast and media services hub in Abu Dhabi aimed at serving broadcasters across the Middle East.[14]

In May 2018, twofour54 organized the "Media Innovation Forum" in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the contributions of its partners in producing Arabic and English media content aimed at engaging the region's youth.[15]

In 2020, Michael Garin was appointed CEO of twofour54.[16]

The zone is home to a large number of international and local media companies,[17] and offers infrastructure and support, such as end-to-end production services,[18] government and travel services,[18] 100% business ownership,[19] and set-up and licensing.[20]

twofour54 houses media companies in the audio, visual, and print industries,[21][22][23] as well as news outlets and digital app creators.[24][25][26] Their facilities also host the first CNN Academy.[2][27]

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.[17]

In June 2020, twofour54 Abu Dhabi provided support to the media industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, including rent relief and remote work facilitation.[28]

Notable films produced at twofour54 include Mission: Impossible – Fallout,[29] 6 Underground[30] and Bharat.[16]

In 2021, Stillfront Group acquired Jawaker from Twofour54 Abu Dhabi for AED 753 million as part of its expansion in the Middle East.[31]

In 2021, Twofour54 inaugurated the Yas Creative Hub, a purpose-built campus on Yas Island. It spans approximately 2.9 million square feet and it accommodates over 600 companies.[32]

In April 2022, twofour54 Abu Dhabi launched an initiative to support digital content creators in the Middle East through training, mentorship, and access to production facilities.[33]

In July 2022, twofour54 appointed Mark Whitehead as its CEO.[34]

In September 2022, Twofour54 Abu Dhabi launched "The Community Hub" at Yas Creative Hub, a space designed to support gamers, filmmakers, and content creators with collaborative facilities.[35]

In August 2023, Twofour54 announced plans to develop a new film studio complex in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2025. [36]

Past productions at twofour54 intaj

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2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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. ^ "twofour54 Introduces the Middle East's First Virtual Solutions for Productions". www.mediaoffice.abudhabi. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (25 November 2020). "Abu Dhabi Announces Yas Creative Hub For Entertainment Industry". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Commentary: Media in the UAE: The Abu Dhabi powerhouse". Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  9. ^ "State-owned Abu Dhabi firms transferred to new parent company". The National. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  10. ^ "11 Abu Dhabi entities come under one roof". gulfnews.com. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Wayne Borg's Exit From Abu Dhabi's Twofour54 Raises Questions for Middle Eastern Industry". Hollywood Reporter. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  13. ^ Arora, Vibhuti (7 May 2015). "Abu Dhabi Film Festival to be discontinued". BroadcastPro ME. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  14. ^ "'توفور54' الإماراتية و'إريكسون' تعلنان عن شراكةٍ استراتيجية - ومضة". Wamda (in Arabic). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  15. ^ اليوم, أبوظبي-الإمارات (14 May 2018). "«توفور54» تستعرض إسهام شركائها في إلهام الشباب". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ a b "Why have media producers flocked to Abu Dhabi". Oxford Business Group. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Setting up a company in twofour54 Free Zone". Virtuzone. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  20. ^ WAM (9 November 2009). "Freelance license holders eligible for residence visa | Uae – Gulf News". Gulf News. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Abu Dhabi's twofour54 bets big on film | WIRED Middle East". Wired.me. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Cannes 2012: Abu Dhabi's twofour54 to Launch Production Incentives". Hollywood Reporter. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Spectrum Digital Print Solutions Continues Expansion With Opening Of Fourth Outlet In Twofour54, Abu Dhabi". UAE Today. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  24. ^ Staff Reporter (19 December 2013). "Malayalam digital radio to hit airwaves - News". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  25. ^ "CNN unveils upgraded, high-tech studio at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi". The National. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  26. ^ "Flip Media expands into capital". The National. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  27. ^ "CNN launches Academy in Abu Dhabi". CNN IC. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  28. ^ البيان. "«توفور 54» تدعم «معاً نحن بخير» بفعالية مجتمعية افتراضية". www.albayan.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ الوطن, جريدة (17 September 2021). ""توفور 54 " تعلن استحواذ المجموعة السويدية "ستيل فرونت" على شركة "جواكر" للألعاب الإلكترونية". جريدة الوطن (in Arabic). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  32. ^ "Abu Dhabi's Yas Creative Hub set to open in late 2021". www.screenglobalproduction.com. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  33. ^ البيان. "«توفور 54».. استثمار في الألعاب الإلكترونية". www.albayan.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  34. ^ Report, Gulf News (26 July 2022). "Mark Whitehead appointed twofour54 CEO". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  35. ^ "«كوميونيتي هب».. مساحة مفتوحة للإعلام والأفلام وسرد القصص". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). 29 September 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  36. ^ "Abu Dhabi will open twofour54 film studios in 2025". Fact Magazines. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  37. ^ "Doha Tribeca Film Festival winners for 2010". Gulf News. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  38. ^ "Cannes 2012: Abu Dhabi's twofour54 to Launch Production Incentives". Hollywood Reporter. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  39. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (16 October 2014). "Abu Dhabi: twofour54 Thrives as Mideast's Content Capital". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g "Why Bollywood is smitten with Abu Dhabi". The Financial Express. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  41. ^ Barraclough, Leo (21 May 2014). "Why 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Decided to Shoot in Abu Dhabi (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  42. ^ Nagraj, Aarti (19 May 2014). "Hollywood Movie Fast & Furious 7 Completes Filming In Abu Dhabi". Gulf Business. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  43. ^ "'Fast & Furious 7' to Film in Abu Dhabi". Hollywood Reporter. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  44. ^ Schreck, Adam (17 March 2014). "'The Bold and the Beautiful' lands in the Emirates". Washingtonexaminer.com. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  45. ^ "'The World Keeps Spinning' for Will Smith's DJ son in the UAE!". Al Bawaba. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  46. ^ "Abu Dhabi's SWAT team film scenes for new TV show with actor Clive Standen". The National. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  47. ^ "UAE director Al Murry returns with horror comedy 'Ghost' | Arab-celebs – Gulf News". Gulfnews.com. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  48. ^ Pereira, Nikhil (8 April 2020). "twoFour54 reveals filming key scenes of Sonic the Hedgehog in Abu Dhabi". ITP.net. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  49. ^ "twofour54 announces wrap of Bollywood film 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' in Abu Dhabi". BroadcastPro ME. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  50. ^ "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.
  51. ^ "Fox International partners with Abu Dhabi firm". Reuters. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ "The National, twofour54, Building 6,, Abu Dhabi (2021)". www.findglocal.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  54. ^ Brenda (15 August 2018). "twofour54 – Growing Media Freezone In Abu Dhabi - Riz & Mona Blog". Riz & Mona. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  55. ^ "Rapid TV News - Sky News Arabia seals cross platform carriage deals". www.rapidtvnews.com. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  56. ^ "Sport 360 plans online overhaul". The National. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
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