Back to the journal

Guide9 min read

Corporate video Dubai: how to plan, film and use it

A step-by-step guide for companies in Dubai planning a corporate video, from the brief to permits, filming and getting it seen.

AJAllen Antony JamesCo-founder, Storytellers

Short answer: a good corporate video has one clear audience, one clear message and one place it is made for. In Dubai, plan it like a real production: write the script first, confirm whether you need a filming permit, follow the drone rules, get consent from everyone on camera, and deliver Arabic and English subtitles. Then publish it where people, search engines and AI tools can find it.

This guide walks through the full corporate video Dubai process. Use it to brief a production company, or to check a plan you already have.

What is a corporate video?

A corporate video is a film a company makes about itself for a business audience. It explains who you are, what you do or how you work. It is usually aimed at clients, investors, partners, staff or future hires.

It is different from an advert. An advert sells one product or offer for a short time. A corporate video builds understanding and trust, and often stays on your website for years.

What types of corporate video are there?

Choose the type that matches the job you need the video to do.

  • Company profile: who you are, what you do and why it matters, for your homepage or About page.
  • Explainer: how a service, product or process works, in plain language.
  • Case study: a real project told with the client's permission and voice.
  • Recruitment: your culture and people, for careers pages and job posts.
  • Leadership message: a founder or executive speaking to staff, investors or the market.
  • Event video: highlights from a launch, conference or exhibition.
  • Training or internal video: onboarding, safety or process videos for your team.

How do you plan a corporate video?

Most of the quality in a corporate video Dubai audiences will watch is decided before anyone picks up a camera. Follow these steps:

  1. Write the brief. Name the audience, the one message and the action you want viewers to take.
  2. Choose where it will live. Website, LinkedIn, YouTube, a screen at an event or an internal portal. This decides length and format.
  3. Write the script. Words, scenes and timing, approved by everyone who must sign off.
  4. Plan the shoot. Storyboard, shot list, locations, people on camera and a call sheet.
  5. Check permissions. Permits, location approvals, drone rules and consent forms.
  6. Film. Interviews, footage of your work and any extra shots for short cut-downs.
  7. Edit and review. Cut, colour, sound, music, graphics and subtitles, with clear review rounds.
  8. Publish and measure. Release it on every planned channel and track who watches.

Do you need a filming permit for a corporate video in Dubai?

Often, yes. The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) is the sole body authorised to license media filming in Dubai, including free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, under Executive Council Resolution No. 50 of 2014. The same resolution says the DFTC coordinates with the owners of each location, and those owners must approve filming at their sites.

The DFTC also says script approval must be received before a filming permit is issued for film and television productions. According to the DFTC script approval page:

  • Arabic productions submit a full script in Arabic, and all others submit it in English.
  • Script approval takes up to 25 business days.
  • Individuals and international companies must hire a local production house to submit a filming request.

Build this time into your schedule. Ask your production company early whether your locations and format need a permit, and who will apply for it.

What are the drone rules for filming in Dubai?

Do not assume a drone shot is a quick extra in a corporate video Dubai shoot. Under the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority's DCAR-UAS regulations, every organisation that intends to operate drones in Dubai must be registered with the DCAA. Commercial photography and filming need, at minimum, a basic category operator authorisation.

In practice, ask your production partner to confirm that their drone operator is registered and authorised for the location and date. If they cannot confirm it, plan the film without aerial shots.

Yes, get it in writing. Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 makes it an offence to use technology to invade a person's privacy without their consent, including taking photos of people in public or private places.

Use signed release forms for everyone who appears clearly on screen, including staff, clients and members of the public. Avoid filming people in the background who have not agreed, or blur them in the edit. Keep the signed forms with the project files. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Should a corporate video be in Arabic and English?

For most Dubai audiences, plan for both. Arabic is the official language of the UAE, and English is widely used, according to the UAE government fact sheet. There are three common approaches:

  • One film, two subtitle tracks: the simplest option, and good for interviews.
  • Two voice-overs: one edit with separate Arabic and English narration.
  • Two versions: separate scripts and on-screen text for each language.

Subtitles also make your video accessible. The accessibility standard WCAG 2.2 asks for captions for all prerecorded audio in video (WCAG 1.2.2). The W3C also recommends transcripts, so people can read the content as text (W3C WAI).

How do you get a corporate video found online?

A corporate video Dubai buyers never see does no work. Put the video on a page that is about the video, not hidden in a slider. Google recommends a dedicated watch page for each video to make it eligible for video features in search (Google Search Central). Then:

  • Add VideoObject structured data with a title, description, thumbnail and upload date (Google).
  • Write a clear title and description that use the words your audience searches for.
  • Publish a transcript on the page, so search engines and AI tools can read what is said.
  • On YouTube, add chapters. The first timestamp must start at 00:00, you need at least three, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long (YouTube Help).
  • Cut short vertical versions for social media that link back to the full film.

Key takeaways

  • Start with one audience, one message and one place the video will live.
  • Confirm permits, location approvals and drone authorisation before the shoot.
  • Get signed consent from everyone who appears on camera.
  • Deliver Arabic and English subtitles, a transcript and a proper watch page.

Written by Allen Antony James, Co-founder of Storytellers, a storyteller-first studio based in Dubai, telling stories worldwide. Want help putting this into practice? See Video production in Dubai or tell us about your business.

Sources

Every claim in this guide links to its source. All sources were checked on 10 Oct 2026.

More guides from Storytellers

Brand identity guideBrand film guideVideo production in DubaiThe journal

FAQ.

Corporate video Dubai, answered.

Ask us a question

As short as the message allows. Decide where the video will live first, then set the length to suit that place, and make shorter cut-downs for social media.

Allow time for scripting, approvals, filming and editing. If your shoot needs DFTC script approval, that step alone can take up to 25 business days, so start early and ask for a written schedule.

Usually your UAE-licensed production company. The DFTC says individuals and international companies must hire a local production house to submit a filming request. Location owners must also approve filming at their sites.

Confirm with your production company and building management before the shoot. Location owners must approve filming at their sites, and everyone who appears clearly on camera should sign a release form.

Only with a registered, authorised operator. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority requires organisations operating drones in Dubai to be registered, and commercial filming needs at least a basic category authorisation.

Yes. Arabic and English subtitles reach more of your audience, help people who watch with the sound off, and meet the WCAG 2.2 requirement for captions on prerecorded video.

Let's talk.

A website, a brand, a film. Or all three.

A quick reply.

We'll get back to you within 24 hours, with a clear next step.

A fixed price.

You'll know the scope, dates and price before any work begins.

Start a project
Co-founder
at Storytellers Allen Antony James Ask Allen directly