The Creative Media Authority (CMA) marked World Arabic Language Day by reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the presence of the Arabic language across Abu Dhabi’s creative and media industries.
In line with the UAE’s vision to preserve Arabic as a core element of cultural identity and creative expression, CMA said it continues to roll out programmes, initiatives and incentives aimed at supporting Arabic content and empowering Arabic-speaking talent across the sector.
Through its ecosystem, which includes the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Creative Lab and Arab Film Studio, the authority said it is building a sustainable pipeline of Arabic creative talent across film, television and media production. The goal, CMA noted, is to enable a new generation of creatives to deliver Arabic content to global platforms while supporting the long-term growth of the industry.
As part of these efforts, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission has signed strategic partnerships with more than 10 Arab studios and production companies to produce 17 Arabic-language film and television projects annually over the next five years. The partnerships also include 14 training workshops and 28 hands-on training opportunities for emerging Arab creatives.
CMA’s talent development arm, Creative Lab, has conducted a series of Arabic-language workshops and training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of young creatives across various media career paths, along with storytelling programmes for school students. Arab Film Studio, meanwhile, has produced 194 films to date, more than 145 of them in Arabic, accounting for 75 per cent of its total output.
This year also features a dedicated Arabic-language edition of the Winter Media Camp in the Al Ain Region, aimed at expanding early creative learning opportunities for young Arabic speakers.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of CMA, said the Arabic language remains a fundamental pillar of national identity and a vital component in sustaining Arab cultural narratives locally and globally.
Echoing these views, Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, said Arabic-language productions are central to Abu Dhabi’s creative landscape, supported by incentives, advanced infrastructure and diverse filming locations.
Aysha Al Jneibi, Director of Talent Management at CMA, said the authority is focused on providing structured pathways to help young Arab creatives develop the skills and confidence needed for professional Arabic storytelling.
CMA said it remains committed to enhancing the status of the Arabic language across the creative media sector as Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a leading hub for Arab productions and creative talent.
