Studio City vs SHAMS: which should you choose?
Sound stages and production infrastructure for film and television. A low-cost, credible route to a UAE licence, and a natural fit for freelancers.
| Criterion | Studio City | SHAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | AED 24,000 | AED 5,760 |
| Typical cost | AED 46,000 | AED 8,500 |
| Setup (days) | 10–25 | 1–4 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Remote setup | No | Yes |
| Our rating | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
Our verdict
On our criteria, SHAMS wins for the most common profile. A low-cost, credible route to a UAE licence, and a natural fit for freelancers.
That said, Studio City remains the right call if: film and tv production, post-production houses. Headline price should not decide this alone — visa quota and banking reception usually matter more.
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