UAE National Day
ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank) · Showcased at COP28 · all-Emirati cast
The project
For UAE National Day, ADCB commissions an annual film celebrating the nation’s spirit. The brief was to capture the remarkable progress the country has made since its founding. The film answers it as a single, continuous cinematic journey upwards: it starts at ground level in the 1960s with the traditional art of pearl diving, and rises through the eras to the modern nation of today.
The production was technically demanding. The key underwater sequence was filmed in winter, when Dubai’s waters lacked the clarity it needed, so the shoot moved to a remote diving spot in Fujairah, together with an authentic old boat that features in the film. A specialised motorised camera arm allowed smooth underwater-to-surface transitions, and the demanding shots were captured over a full day with regional experts Base Films. Rain delays, and the client’s requirement to feature exclusively Emirati talent from a select pool, added further complexity. An international team, including production design flown in from Slovenia, delivered the film.
The film was met with high praise from the client, including a personal commendation from the CEO of ADCB. National Day films are not typically submitted for awards, but this one was showcased at the COP28 Summit in Dubai and aired widely across TV and digital platforms.