Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, known for its pivotal moments in Formula One history, recently became the backdrop for an ambitious racing sequence in F1 The Movie. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, famous for Top Gun: Maverick, the film’s finale was shot on location during a live race weekend in the UAE capital, blending the excitement of real-world Formula One with expert filmmaking techniques.

The production team included a significant number of local professionals, with 280 crew members based in the UAE and 500 additional personnel from countries like Hungary, Romania, Canada, the US, and the UK. Mohamed Dobay, acting director general of the Creative Media Authority, emphasized the scale of the project, stating, “This was a massive undertaking.” The filming at the Yas Marina Circuit spanned a total of 29 days across three shoots, featuring key sequences from the 2023 and 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix races.

Interns from the UAE played a crucial role in the production. Saleh Al Zaabi, a media studies graduate from Zayed University, worked in the camera department and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I’m truly honoured to have had this learning experience.” He was particularly fascinated by the specialized cameras used for the on-board sequences, which were custom-made prototypes from Sony designed for Formula One cars. Al Zaabi noted that this experience boosted his confidence in handling large-scale productions.

Aysha Al Jneibi, director of talent management at the Creative Media Authority, highlighted the importance of local internships in providing valuable experience for aspiring professionals. She explained that they selected 15 interns from a pool of 50 applicants for F1 The Movie, ensuring that candidates had prior experience on smaller local projects before being considered for major international productions.

While acknowledging a skills gap in certain areas, Dobay mentioned that the growing film industry in the UAE is gradually addressing these disparities. He noted that while local talent in stunts is limited, efforts are underway to attract international stunt companies and develop local capabilities in technical fields such as visual effects and explosives.

Intern Margarita Sataeva from Russia, who worked in the make-up and casting departments, described her responsibilities during the shoots, including maintaining continuity for background actors. Another intern, Emirati Hamdah Abdulrhman, contributed to the production department by creating badges for crew members and organizing equipment deliveries. Abdulrhman shared her aspirations to become a filmmaker and director, motivated by her experience on a Hollywood film set.

The increase in local internships reflects the UAE’s commitment to nurturing its film industry. Dobay noted that hosting large-scale productions not only provides entertainment but also helps develop local talent. Sameer Al Jaberi, head of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, remarked that the city’s successful track record with major productions has enhanced its reputation in the industry, making it an attractive destination for international filmmakers. Al Jaberi explained that the film commission’s role is to facilitate the production process, acting as a bridge between government entities and production companies.