Inaugural Film and Gaming Forum commences on first day of Arab Media Summit 2025

The inaugural Film and Gaming Forum, organised by the Dubai Films and Games Commission under the umbrella of the Dubai Media Council (DMC), kicked off today, the opening day of the Arab Media Summit 2025. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Summit runs until 28 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Film and Gaming Forum reflects the Dubai Media Council’s strategic vision to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for creativity, innovation and future-focused media. It offers a dynamic platform for dialogue on nurturing local talent, enhancing production capabilities, and leveraging the fast-growing gaming ecosystem—not only at the local level but across regional and global markets. The initiative also supports Dubai’s broader efforts to accelerate sustainable media growth, attract investment, and enrich the city’s creative landscape.

In her address at the Film and Gaming Forum, titled ‘The Future of the Media Industry’, Her Excellency Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, highlighted the crucial role of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in strengthening Dubai’s leadership in the film and gaming sectors. She noted that the Commission has played a key role in forging strategic partnerships with major global players such as Amazon and Netflix and confirmed that the Forum will become an annual fixture, serving as a global platform for creators, investors, and innovators.

Her Excellency underscored the significance of the film and gaming industries as two vital pillars in shaping Dubai’s future narrative, with the Commission positioned to support their growth and deepen their contribution to the city’s creative economy.

“The global film industry contributed over $136 billion to global GDP in 2023, while the gaming industry surpassed $196 billion. These sectors are no longer limited to entertainment, they have become central to building the economic and cultural identity of cities,” she said. “In Dubai, we believe true investment begins with people, and that young talent is the driving force behind these industries. With over 3.2 billion people engaged in the sector globally—many of them young individuals who began coding or directing at an early age—this creative energy represents the true wealth we seek to nurture and empower.”

She added: “Dubai is home to an integrated ecosystem—from world-class production studios to agile free zones—that positions it as a regional hub for content creation. Achieving sustainable growth requires building robust partnerships with global industry leaders such as Amazon, Netflix and Disney, as well as academic institutions both locally and internationally.”

‘Women in Drama and Cinema’
As part of the opening day of the Film and Gaming Forum, a special showcase event was held featuring a group of emerging Arab women filmmakers participating in the ‘Women in Film: Bring Your Story to Life’ programme, an initiative launched by Netflix in partnership with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), under the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. Hosted in collaboration with the Dubai Films and Games Commission, the session provided a platform for the participants to present their short films to audiences at the Arab Media Summit.

Designed to create opportunities for Arab women filmmakers across the Arab World, the programme provided mentorship from industry professionals with extensive backgrounds in global cinema, funding support, and hands-on storytelling workshops. The 20 aspiring filmmakers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait who participated in the programme were divided into five teams, each receiving $25,000 to produce a short film.

Rima Mismar, Executive Director of AFAC, said: “As part of our mission, we strive to support young filmmakers in the best way possible. Our partnership with Netflix on the ‘Women in Film: Bring Your Story to Life’ programme has enabled us to provide opportunities for emerging women filmmakers. Through mentorship and workshops, we accompany them in taking their first steps in their professional careers. These training initiatives are essential in the region, as they not only help identify new talent but also give these individuals a chance to learn, collaborate, and experiment.”

Pelin Mavili, Director of Global Affairs at Netflix for Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye said: “At Netflix, we are committed to help shape an entertainment industry that reflects the richness and diversity of our region, and this programme is one part of our broader efforts to help build a more representative, and sustainable film industry in the region. Today marks an important milestone as we celebrate the culmination of this journey and the incredible work of the participants. We are grateful to AFAC for their invaluable partnership and to the Dubai Media Council for hosting us and supporting this initiative to uplift women’s voices in film.”

The ‘Women in Film: Bring Your Story to Life’ programme was designed to offer a platform for aspiring filmmakers to pursue their passion and contribute to strengthening the film and entertainment industry of the Arab World. From December 2024 to May 2025, participants received end-to-end support, from script development to post-production, through tailored virtual mentorship and in-person guidance. By offering both creative and technical training, the initiative equipped participants with essential tools, ensuring the development of compelling short films and building strong foundations for future projects.

Netflix continues to invest in diverse Arab voices through its Fund for Creative Equity, through ‘Because She Created’ initiatives which have reaffirmed its commitment to amplify women’s stories, create early career opportunities, and provide a platform for learning and experimenting for emerging women filmmakers in the region.

The first day of the Film and Gaming Forum also featured a session titled ‘The Future of Gaming: From Passion to Profession’, moderated by content creator Jasim Al Sheheimi. The panel brought together Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports Strategy at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment; Abdulla Bin Baz, Founder and CEO of Baz Station; and Mohammed Al Bsimi, Founder of True Gaming.

The session explored the region’s growing transformation of esports from a niche hobby into a thriving creative economy sector. Speakers discussed Dubai’s emergence as a regional hub through hosting global events such as the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, and outlined strategies to attract international talent and companies while empowering local youth through skill-building programmes.

Panelists highlighted the importance of thoughtfully designed gaming environments, not just in terms of technical setup, but as part of the player’s performance and experience. The speakers stressed the need to expand Arabic-language content as a key driver in building a thriving regional gaming ecosystem, from dedicated media coverage and professional esports tournaments to nurturing the next generation of Arabic-speaking content creators.

Netflix Masterclass: ‘The 20-Minutes Pitch’
Creative writers and filmmakers attending the Film and Gaming Forum at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai were given an insider’s guide to crafting pitch-worthy characters that captivate audiences and elevate film and television projects.

Speaking at a Masterclass session titled ‘The 20-Minutes Pitch’  on the opening day of the Summit, Chris Mack, Creative Director at Netflix, broke down the elements that make a character truly compelling, offering insights drawn from his extensive experience in the industry. Using iconic figures such as Will Smith, George Clooney, and Charlie Sheen, Mack illustrated how strong character design can become the foundation of a successful series or film.

He emphasised the importance of a character’s catalyst, moral compass, and transformation elements to make stories interesting and close to life.
Mack shared personal anecdotes, including his admiration for characters like Maria from The Sound of Music and Ripley from Alien, and highlighted the significance of personal experiences in storytelling. He also outlined various hero archetypes and the need for characters to evolve emotionally and visually, using examples from popular media.

Mack narrated his own emotional experiences in his family, including the loss of his son and the separation of his parents. “I tell you this because characters, stories are right next to you. They're in your families, they're your friends. Observe the developments and happenings around you such as the struggles some real-life characters go through. It would be a compelling story, and no matter what genre that you chose to tell that story.

“These stories are emotional stories, and this is why they resonate with the audiences, because they come from who we are as writers and storytellers. We're just telling the stories of life, and no matter what drama you choose to tell them.”

He outlined three key ingredients that make “rootworthy” characters: catalyst, moral compass, and transformation. “While all ‘rootworthy’ characters need these ingredients, there is not a set order that you need to introduce them – it’s all about what works best for the story you want to tell.”

Comparing films and series, he said that by nature film pacing needs to be quicker, and audiences need to see more immediate signs in the character. Series, by contrast, have the luxury of the ‘slow burn’ approach to transformation and more ambiguity in moral compass.

The Film and Gaming Forum has been designed as a dynamic platform to bring together leading global players — including Amazon, Netflix, Olsberg SPI, BC Productions, Square Enix, and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) — to exchange insights, drive collaboration, and explore the rapidly evolving worlds of cinema, gaming, and digital storytelling, both regionally and globally.

The second and third day of the Forum will continue to feature a series of high-profile sessions that spotlight the region’s creative talent and innovation.