Today's Edition
KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
The red carpet was rolled out at Yas Marina Circuit on Wednesday night, not for a Grand Prix, but for the much-anticipated premiere of F1, the motorsports blockbuster starring Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt and directed by Top Gun Maverick filmmaker Joseph Kosinski.
The premiere, ahead of the international release of the movie on June 26, marked a full-circle moment for the UAE capital, where large portions of the movie were shot over 26 days in late 2024, with filming taking place in and around Yas Marina Circuit during the Formula 1 season.
The project represents a new milestone in Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global hub for Hollywood movie shoots.
Speaking to Aletihad at the premiere, Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority (CMA), expressed pride in Abu Dhabi’s starring role in the production.
“We are proud to have the F1 movie premiere in Abu Dhabi after a huge experience and success during the production,” he said.
“It’s remarkable. The film stars a blockbuster name like Brad Pitt and is directed by Joseph Kosinski, and it showcases the strength of Abu Dhabi’s creative industry on a global scale.”
The film follows Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, a former driver dragged back into the fast-paced world of Formula 1 to mentor young racing ace Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, blending dramatic storytelling with authentic, high-speed racing sequences shot during real races.
That realism was made possible thanks to close coordination between film crews, Formula 1 organisers, and Abu Dhabi officials - a feat that earned praise from industry professionals.
“This only confirms the work we’ve put in over the years to develop the infrastructure to attract productions like F1,” Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, told Aletihad on red carpet.
“We started communicating with the studio three years ago. We worked closely to determine what could be filmed in Abu Dhabi, which locations worked, and what support we could offer, from budget planning to talent and crew.”
Abu Dhabi’s ability to facilitate filming during a live Formula 1 race was hailed as a landmark accomplishment in global film production. A video screened at the premiere also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s hospitality, as a filming destination.
“Filming at Yas Marina Circuit, during an actual race, and coordinating the film shoot and the live event without disruption, that by itself is a great achievement,” Al Jaberi added. “It was brilliantly orchestrated and went very smoothly.”
The Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the final race destination of the F1 season, provided a visually stunning backdrop for the film’s climactic scenes. Audiences at the premiere were treated to a screening that combined the roar of engines with sweeping aerial shots and emotionally charged performances, blending Hollywood spectacle with real-world racing authenticity.
The hope is that the F1 movie could propel more high-profile productions to Abu Dhabi. The emirate’s competitive rebate programme, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced crews, and stunning locations have already drawn filmmakers from around the world.
Other notable movies filmed in the capital include “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”, “6 Underground”, and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
As the lights dimmed and the opening credits rolled at Yas Marina Circuit, it was clear the event was more than a film premiere, it was a celebration of how far Abu Dhabi has come as a cinematic destination.
With Brad Pitt’s star power and Kosinski’s directorial vision drawing global attention, the city’s investment in the creative economy looks to be paying off.
