Construction is underway on Shams Studios, a sweeping new production complex rising inside Sharjah Media City and signaling one of the United Arab Emirates’ most ambitious moves yet to expand its global film and television infrastructure.
The state-backed facility will span approximately 103,000 square feet of indoor production space and is being positioned as a full-service destination for international filmmakers, designed to attract projects from the U.S., U.K., India, Europe, and beyond. Developers say the goal is clear: turn Sharjah into a serious global contender for high-end film, TV, and streaming production.
Shams Studios is targeting an opening in Q1 2027, an aggressive timeline for a complex of this scale.
When completed, the studio will house five purpose-built soundstages totaling roughly 103,000 square feet of indoor space. The breakdown includes three stages of about 16,150 square feet each, one stage of approximately 21,530 square feet, and a flagship stage measuring around 33,370 square feet.
All stages are being engineered to meet international acoustic, structural, and electrical standards, with support for hybrid digital and virtual production workflows. Concept art depicts a sleek, modern campus designed to compete with contemporary studio facilities in Europe and North America.
The development extends beyond the soundstages. The site will feature a 700-seat theater for screenings, premieres, and cultural programming, alongside the Creative Oasis district, a cluster of public spaces, educational centers, creative workshops, production offices, post-production suites, and talent development labs aimed at training emerging filmmakers across the region.
With studio shortages continuing in North America and Europe, Shams Studios is positioning itself as a high-capacity, cost-competitive alternative for global producers looking for large-scale stages, modern infrastructure, and a strategic location between major markets.
H.E. Rashid Abdulla Al Obad, Director General of Sharjah Media City (Shams), said:
“Shams Studios marks a significant advancement in Sharjah’s vision to become a global hub for film and content creation. With more than 100,000 square feet of purpose-built stages and a vibrant creative ecosystem, we are prepared to welcome international productions and support the next generation of storytellers in the region.”
With construction already moving forward and global interest rising, Shams Studios is shaping up to be one of the most significant new film facilities in the Middle East — and a signal that the UAE is no longer just hosting major productions but building the world-class infrastructure to sustain them.
