How Much Does Video Production Cost in Dubai? A Transparent Breakdown

This is the question we hear more than any other. A potential client reaches out, describes their project, and within the first five minutes asks: "So, how much is this going to cost?" The honest answer is always "it depends," but that response is frustrating and unhelpful. So we decided to lay everything out.

After producing hundreds of videos across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE, we have enough data to give you real numbers. Not vague ranges designed to lure you in, but actual pricing that reflects what the market charges in 2026. Whether you are a startup with a tight budget or a corporation planning a multi-day campaign, this guide will help you plan with confidence.

The Short Answer: Real Price Ranges by Project Type

Before we get into the details, here is a quick overview. These numbers reflect what you can expect to pay a professional production company in Dubai (not a solo freelancer shooting on a phone).

• Social media content (30 to 60 second clips): AED 3,000 to AED 8,000
• Real estate walkthrough videos: AED 2,500 to AED 5,500
• Corporate video (1 to 3 minutes): AED 10,000 to AED 30,000
• Event videography (per day): AED 2,500 to AED 10,000
• Wedding videography: AED 3,500 to AED 15,000+
• Cinematic brand film or commercial: AED 25,000 to AED 100,000+

Those ranges are wide, and there is a reason for that. The final number depends on crew size, equipment, locations, talent, post-production complexity, and how many deliverable formats you need. Let us break each of those down.

What Actually Drives the Price of a Video Production

Clients often assume the camera is the expensive part. In reality, the camera is one of the cheapest elements of a professional shoot. Here is where the money actually goes.

Crew Size and Expertise

A solo videographer with a DSLR might charge AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 per day. A two-person team (videographer plus assistant or second camera operator) runs AED 5,000 to AED 8,000. Once you add a director, a sound technician, a lighting grip, and a production coordinator, you are looking at AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 per day. The crew size should match the project scope. A talking-head testimonial does not need a 10-person team, but a multi-location commercial does.

Equipment

A basic DSLR setup costs significantly less than a cinema camera rig with cinema lenses, motorized gimbals, professional lighting kits, and wireless audio systems. Drone footage adds AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 depending on the location and permit requirements. The question is not "what is the best equipment?" but "what equipment serves this specific project?" Overspending on gear is one of the most common mistakes brands make.

Location and Permits

Filming in your own office or studio? Zero location cost. Filming at a luxury hotel, on the Palm Jumeirah, or in the DIFC? Location fees can range from AED 2,000 to AED 20,000 or more per day. Dubai also requires filming permits for most public locations, processed through Dubai Film and TV Commission. Permit fees vary but typically run AED 500 to AED 2,000. Your production company should handle this entirely.

Talent and Casting

Using your own team members on camera? No talent fees. Hiring professional actors or models? Expect AED 1,000 to AED 5,000 per person per day, depending on experience and usage rights. Voice-over artists charge AED 500 to AED 3,000 depending on language, accent, and distribution scope. Talent costs are often underestimated in initial budgets, so ask your production partner about this early.

Post-Production

This is where many clients get surprised. Editing, color grading, sound design, motion graphics, and music licensing all happen in post. A straightforward edit runs AED 5,000 to AED 10,000. Add motion graphics, animation, or VFX and you are looking at AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 or more. Music licensing (using a track from a library rather than a custom composition) adds AED 500 to AED 2,000. Custom music starts at AED 5,000. Post-production typically accounts for 30 to 40 percent of the total project budget.

Freelancer vs. Agency: Which Makes Sense for Your Project

This is one of the most practical decisions you will make, and the right choice depends entirely on what you need.

A freelance videographer is a great fit for simple projects: Instagram reels, a quick interview, product close-ups, or event documentation. Rates run AED 1,500 to AED 5,000 per day. You get a single creative working with their own equipment. The trade-off is limited capacity, fewer camera angles, and you are usually responsible for your own creative direction.

A production company or studio brings a full team: director, DP, sound, lighting, production management, and a post-production pipeline. You pay more (starting from AED 10,000 for smaller projects), but you get a structured process, creative strategy, quality control, and the ability to scale. For anything that represents your brand publicly, a commercial, a brand film, a campaign, the structure and accountability of a studio is worth the investment.

We covered the full process of working with a production partner in our guide on planning a video shoot in Dubai, which goes deeper into what to expect at each stage.

Cost Breakdown by Video Type

Here is what each common project type looks like in practice, including what is typically included at each price point.

Corporate Videos (AED 10,000 to AED 30,000)

This covers company profiles, internal communications, investor presentations, and brand overview films. At the lower end, expect a half-day shoot with a small crew, basic editing, and one deliverable format. At AED 20,000 to AED 30,000, you get a full-day shoot, multiple locations, professional talent, polished editing with graphics, and several format versions for different platforms.

Wedding Films (AED 3,500 to AED 15,000+)

Budget packages (AED 3,500 to AED 6,000) get you a single videographer for 4 to 6 hours and a highlights reel. Mid-range (AED 7,000 to AED 10,000) adds a second camera, drone coverage, and a longer edit. Premium packages (AED 12,000 to AED 15,000+) include full day coverage, cinematic storytelling, same-day edits, and multiple deliverables. We wrote a detailed breakdown of what to look for in a Dubai wedding videographer if you are planning a wedding.

Social Media Content (AED 3,000 to AED 8,000)

Short-form content for Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube Shorts. A single content day (4 to 6 hours of shooting) can produce 5 to 10 pieces of content when planned properly. At the higher end, you get a dedicated content strategist, on-set direction, trending format adaptations, and platform-optimized editing. This is often the best value per piece of content.

Real Estate and Property Videos (AED 2,500 to AED 5,500)

Virtual tours, property showcases, and agent introduction videos. Dubai real estate moves fast, and brokers who use video sell listings significantly quicker. Basic walkthroughs with a gimbal and minimal editing sit at the low end. Add drone footage, twilight shots, lifestyle sequences, and professional narration and you reach the higher end. For luxury properties, some developers invest AED 15,000 to AED 30,000 in cinematic showcase films.

Hidden Costs That Catch People Off Guard

Ask about these before signing any proposal. A transparent production company will mention them upfront. If they do not, consider it a yellow flag.

• Revision rounds: Most companies include 2 to 3 rounds of revisions. Extra rounds typically cost AED 500 to AED 1,500 each.
• Additional formats: Need the same video in 16:9, 9:16, and 1:1? Re-editing for multiple formats costs AED 500 to AED 2,000 per format if not included.
• Overtime: Shoots that run past the agreed schedule incur overtime charges, usually AED 500 to AED 1,500 per hour.
• Travel and logistics: Shoots outside Dubai (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain) add transport, accommodation, and per diem costs.
• Usage rights and licensing: Some talent contracts limit where and how long you can use the footage. Extending usage rights after the fact is always more expensive than negotiating upfront.

How to Get the Best Value From Your Budget

Spending more does not automatically mean getting a better result. Some of the most effective videos we have produced cost far less than the flashier projects. Here are specific strategies that stretch your budget without cutting corners.

Batch your content. Instead of booking three separate shoot days over three months, plan one full production day that covers three projects. You pay for the crew and equipment once, but produce multiple deliverables. We regularly help clients produce 8 to 12 pieces of content in a single well-organized shoot day.

Define deliverables before production. Knowing exactly what formats and platforms you need before the shoot lets the team plan efficient camera setups. Deciding after the fact that you also need vertical versions doubles the editing work.

Use your own locations first. Your office, showroom, warehouse, or rooftop might be more visually interesting than you think. A skilled DP with good lighting can make almost any space look cinematic. Save location fees for shots where the environment is genuinely part of the story.

Invest in pre-production. A solid creative brief, detailed shot list, and thorough pre-production plan prevent expensive mistakes on set. An hour of planning saves three hours of shooting and ten hours of editing.

Red Flags in Video Production Proposals

Over the years, we have seen clients come to us after bad experiences with other providers. The warning signs are almost always the same.

• No line-item breakdown. If a company quotes you a single lump sum without explaining what it includes, you have no way to compare proposals or understand what you are paying for.
• Prices that are suspiciously low. A cinematic brand film for AED 2,000 is not a deal. It is a project where corners will be cut on equipment, talent, or editing, and the final product will reflect it.
• No defined revision process. "Unlimited revisions" sounds great until you realize it usually means the production team has no clear process and the project drags on indefinitely.
• No portfolio or references. Any established production company in Dubai should be able to show you recent work that matches the style and scale you are looking for. Ask for references from clients in a similar industry.

What Questions to Ask Before You Commit

Walk into your first meeting with a production company armed with these questions. The answers will tell you everything you need to know about whether they are the right fit.

1. What is included in the quoted price, and what could trigger additional charges?
2. How many revision rounds are included, and what does an extra round cost?
3. Who owns the raw footage after the project? Can I request it?
4. What is the typical turnaround time from shoot day to final delivery?
5. Do you handle filming permits, or is that my responsibility?
6. Can you show me a similar project you have completed for another client?

Get a Custom Quote for Your Project

Every project is different, and the only way to get an accurate number is to talk through your specific needs. At Tanit Studio, we provide detailed, line-by-line quotes so you know exactly where your budget goes. No surprises. No hidden fees. Reach out to us with a brief description of your project and we will send you a custom breakdown within 48 hours.

You can also explore our portfolio to see the range of work we produce across different budgets and industries.