MIPCOM Cannes saw the formalisation of an agreement to transfer studio know-how and deepen cooperation on international productions. Five purpose-built sound stages will open the first phase of Shams Production Hub, with that phase set to begin in Q1 2027.
CANNES, France: At MIPCOM Cannes, Sharjah Media City (Shams), a leading UAE freezone authority, and Origo Studios, one of Hungary’s leading film studio complexes, have formalised a strategic partnership in support of the creation of Shams Production Hub in Sharjah, UAE.
Under the agreement, Origo Studios will deliver a three-phase training and knowledge-transfer programme that prepares the Shams team to run the facility to international standards. The training comes in three forms: online sessions, hands-on learning at Origo Studios in Budapest, and on-site guidance in Sharjah.
The programme covers studio operations, art department management, post-production, business development and sales, finance and production incentives, backlot operations, technical infrastructure, governance, and sustainable production practices.
Each of the five purpose-built sound stages planned for Shams Production Hub will measure roughly 1,710 square metres. Work on the first phase is scheduled to commence in Q1 2027.
Expanding commercial links between Hungary and Sharjah also underpin the tie-up. Among the companies based at Shams today, 67 were registered by Hungarian businesses and investors, and 31 of those pursue media-related activities.
Director General of Shams H.E. Rashid Abdalla Al Obad commented: “Our vision for the Shams Production Hub goes beyond developing world-class production infrastructure. We want to build the expertise, operational capabilities and industry relationships needed to support productions at every stage of their lifecycle. Our partnership with Origo Studios enables our team to learn from an established European studio environment and bring that knowledge to Sharjah, while strengthening connections between the UAE and international production markets. It reflects our commitment to developing a sustainable, globally connected media and creative ecosystem that creates opportunities for talent and businesses.”
CEO of Origo Studios Dr. Márta Fekszi Horváth commented: “We are pleased to partner with Sharjah Media City at an important stage in the development of the Shams Production Hub. Building a successful production ecosystem requires more than world-class facilities; it requires strong operational expertise, practical experience and a deep understanding of the production industry. Through this partnership, we look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with the Shams team and supporting their journey towards establishing a production hub capable of serving local, regional and international productions. We also see strong potential for this partnership to develop further, with continued cooperation between our teams across operational and development matters.”
Wider collaboration is also envisaged, spanning studio development, technical expertise, knowledge exchange and possible opportunities in international production, subject to mutual agreement.
