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Content Creation in Abu Dhabi

Creative Media Authority

Who We Are

Creative Media Authority

Creative Media Authority (CMA) is the champion of Abu Dhabi’s vibrant creative sector, with a mandate to develop and empower a sustainable, collaborative and multidisciplinary industry across the emirate. The authority brings together Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem of organizations in sectors such as film and TV production, and digital content.

Creative Media Authority implements an agile, transparent regulatory framework that streamlines processes, enables the private sector, and delivers initiatives and policies that accelerate growth in the industry. By harnessing synergies across the whole sector, it works to develop the best facilities, the best talent and the best opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

CMA oversees established creative organizations including Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Film Commission, as well as training and development initiatives such as Creative Lab and Arab Film Studio.

Our vision

To reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global content hub and the preferred home of the world’s leading content creators.

Our mission

Empower Abu Dhabi’s content creators through strategic guidance, talent development, financial support, and a world-class regulatory environment.

Creative Media Authority
Creative Media Authority quotes

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

“The creative economy is a key driver of social and economic growth and diversification. Creative Media Authority has been established to help power the creative economy in Abu Dhabi by encouraging natural synergies across the various forms of content. Abu Dhabi already has a strong track record in attracting the world’s leading content creators. The Creative Media Authority’s mission is to build on that success by developing a streamlined regulatory framework and opportunities for talent development, as well as facilitating incoming regional and international productions and businesses. By doing so, we can ensure that Abu Dhabi has a sustainable ecosystem that enables content creators to thrive.”

FAQS

01

What is Creative Media Authority (CMA)?

The Creative Media Authority is the champion of content creation in Abu Dhabi. We empower content creators through strategic guidance, talent development, financial support, and a world-class regulatory environment.

02

What industries does the Creative Media Authority regulate?

The Creative Media Authority regulates businesses within the Creative Zone (Abu Dhabi) across sectors including film and TV production, gaming and esports. Its mandate includes direct oversight of a number of strategic organisations and initiatives within Abu Dhabi’s creative sector, including Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Film Commission, as well as training and development initiatives such as Creative Lab and Arab Film Studio.

03

What role does CMA have in terms of regulation?

Creative Media Authority is responsible for issuing and maintaining a streamlined regulatory framework for the Creative Zone (Abu Dhabi). This includes absorbing the regulatory and licensing responsibilities for the Creative Zone, replacing Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (MZA) as the regulatory authority. CMA is now responsible for overseeing all regulatory and licensing aspects of the Creative Zone, which includes issuing, and ensuring compliance with, the Authority’s regulations, codes and policies and procedures; registering and licensing companies, branches and sole proprietors (freelancers); and providing content-related guidance to its licencees.

04

What is the Creative Zone?

The Creative Zone is one of the fastest growing creative markets in the world, and the Creative Media Authority is committed to the continued development of the creative media industries in Abu Dhabi.

The Creative Media Authority is responsible for overseeing all regulatory and licensing aspects of the Creative Zone in Abu Dhabi, which includes developing and ensuring compliance with the Authority’s regulations, codes and policies and procedures; registering and licencing companies, branches and sole proprietors (freelancers); and providing content-related guidance to its licensees.

05

What role does CMA have within the Creative Zone?

The Creative Media Authority is responsible for overseeing all regulatory and licensing aspects of the Creative Zone in Abu Dhabi, which includes issuing, and ensuring compliance with, the Authority’s regulations, codes and policies and procedures; registering and licencing companies, branches and sole proprietors (freelancers); and providing content-related guidance to its licensees.

06

What services does CMA provide for Creative Zone businesses and freelancers?

The Authority offers the following services in the Creative Zone:

• Developing and maintaining the Creative Zone’s regulations, codes and policies;

• Incorporating and registering companies and branches;

• Licencing companies, branches and freelancers;

• Maintaining records of all registered companies, branches and freelancers;

• Providing ongoing services such as facilitating changes to shareholders, directors and general managers and issuing certified copies, extracts of the Authority’s register and certificates of good standing;

• Dissolving companies and closing branches;

• Providing content-related guidance; and

• Implementing mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Creative Zone’s regulations and codes.

07

What has happened to the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi?

Creative Media Authority (CMA) has absorbed the regulatory and licensing responsibilities for the Creative Zone (formally the Media Zone - Abu Dhabi), replacing Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (MZA) as the regulatory authority for the free zone. Creative Zone destinations include twofour54’s Yas Creative Hub, Khalifa Park and backlot/studios.

08

Will I be dealing with a new team?

The existing MZA team has joined CMA to ensure the continuity of operations and support for all licencees.

09

What will be the impact for the entities regulated and licensed by the Media Zone Authority?

There will be no change to the legal status of existing Creative Zone companies/licensees and all certificates, licences and visas issued by MZA will automatically transfer to CMA and remain valid under the same terms and conditions. When they are due to expire, they can be renewed through CMA.

10

Will regulations and licensing stay the same for free zone entities under CMA?

Yes, they will be subject to the same regulations and licensing as under MZA as the MZA regulatory framework has transferred to CMA.

11

What happens to the visas for the employees and general managers of licensed entities?

They will automatically transfer to the Creative Media Authority under the same terms and conditions. When they are due to expire, they can be renewed through CMA.

12

What happens to my freelance licence?

Freelance licences issued by the Media Zone Authority will automatically transfer to the Creative Media Authority under the same terms and conditions. When they are due to expire, they can be renewed through CMA.

13

What happens to my business licence?

Business licences issued by the Media Zone Authority will automatically transfer to the Creative Media Authority under the same terms and conditions. When they are due to expire, they can be renewed through CMA.

14

Is my certificate of incorporation still valid?

Yes, the certificate of incorporation issued by the Media Zone Authority is not affected by this change and remains valid.