FAQ
Hanzo Films is an award-winning production house specializing in high-end live-action commercial films and world-class 2D/3D animation. We offer a full suite of services from creative ideation and scripting to production and post-production, including colour grading and original music composition.
Our key differentiator is our commitment to the creative process and production value. We invest in top-tier production design and assemble the best crew for each specific project, rather than just focusing on a big-name director. This holistic approach, combined with our in-house post-production mastery, ensures a superior final film.
Yes, we are one of the few production houses in the region with dedicated, world-class expertise in both live-action commercials and high-end 2D/3D animation. Our portfolio includes globally viral animated campaigns and stunning live-action films for leading brands.
We specialize in high-impact, story-driven content, including TV commercials (TVCs), branded content, corporate films, and animated brand stories. Our expertise lies in creating memorable films for sectors like automotive, FMCG, aviation, and finance.
We have a proven track record of creating award-winning films for a diverse range of industries. Our notable clients include global leaders in aviation (Etihad Airways), banking (Emirates NBD, HSBC), automotive (Nissan, GMC), FMCG (IKEA, Cadbury, McDonald's, Kellogg's), and technology (Careem).
Our process is structured in three key phases:
1) Pre-production: Creative development, scripting, storyboarding, and planning.
2) Production: The actual filming or animation, led by our expert crew.
3) Post-production: Editing, visual effects, sound design, colour grading, and creating the final master.
1) Pre-production: Creative development, scripting, storyboarding, and planning.
2) Production: The actual filming or animation, led by our expert crew.
3) Post-production: Editing, visual effects, sound design, colour grading, and creating the final master.
Timelines vary based on complexity. A straightforward live-action shoot might take 4–6 weeks from briefing to delivery. A complex 2D or 3D animation project can take 10–16 weeks or more due to the detailed, multi-stage process required to achieve high-quality results.
To start, we need a clear brief outlining your objectives, target audience, key message, desired style or tone, budget range, and timeline. Any brand guidelines and initial creative thoughts are also incredibly helpful for our first discussion.
We believe in a collaborative process. Your team will be involved in key milestones like script approval, storyboard review, and feedback on the main editing cuts. We typically include two rounds of reasonable revisions at each major stage (e.g., offline edit, online edit) to ensure the final film aligns perfectly with your vision.
High-end production costs in Dubai vary widely based on the creative concept, talent, locations, and technical requirements. A premium commercial can range from $50,000 to over $250,000 USD. The final price depends on factors like director choice, filming duration, crew size, and post-production complexity.
The primary cost drivers are:
1) The Creative Concept: Complexity determines the resources needed.
2) Talent: Fees for directors, actors, or celebrities.
3) Production Scale: Crew size, equipment (e.g., shooting on 35mm film vs. digital), and shoot days.
4) Post-Production: The extent of editing, VFX, animation, and custom music.
1) The Creative Concept: Complexity determines the resources needed.
2) Talent: Fees for directors, actors, or celebrities.
3) Production Scale: Crew size, equipment (e.g., shooting on 35mm film vs. digital), and shoot days.
4) Post-Production: The extent of editing, VFX, animation, and custom music.
We focus on high-quality productions and do not compromise our creative process. However, we are adept at crafting the best possible film within a client's specific budget. We will be transparent if a budget is insufficient for the desired creative, but our goal is always to maximize production value for the investment.
Our proposals provide a comprehensive breakdown of the project, including our creative treatment and approach, a detailed scope of work for pre-production, production, and post-production, clear deliverables, a project timeline with key milestones, and a transparent, itemized budget.
While we are headquartered in Dubai, we are a global production house with offices in Singapore and Mumbai. We regularly work with international brands and agencies to produce films for regional and global campaigns, handling logistics and production seamlessly across borders.
Absolutely. Our portfolio demonstrates our capability to manage complex campaigns involving celebrity talent, multi-country shoots, and large-scale logistics. Our experience producing for major brands like Emirates, Etihad, and McDonald's showcases our readiness for ambitious projects.
Yes, all commercial filming in Dubai requires a permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC). Our production team handles the entire permit application process as part of our service, ensuring all legal and regulatory requirements are met for a smooth production.
Hanzo Films is an internationally acclaimed production house. Our work has earned over 100 awards at prestigious festivals like the Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio Awards, and Dubai Lynx. One of our animated films alone has won over 27 awards and is one of the most-watched animated commercials ever produced.
We treat every project as unique. Instead of relying on a fixed in-house team, we handpick the director, Director of Photography (DOP), and key crew members whose specific skills and creative style are perfectly matched to the project's brief, whether it’s for fashion, automotive, or narrative work.
A common mistake is choosing a company based solely on a prior relationship or an unrealistically low bid, which often harms quality. Brands should vet a company's recent portfolio to see if their specific strengths (e.g., storytelling, animation, visual effects) align with the new campaign's goals.
A prime example is an animated commercial we created that went viral in over 25 countries, garnering more than 200 million views. Its success, driven by a realistic approach to quality and timelines, demonstrates the immense ROI of investing in world-class production.
We use industry-leading cinema equipment, including ARRI and RED cameras, and can shoot on 35mm film for a distinct aesthetic. Our post-production suite is equipped for high-end colour grading, VFX, and sound design to ensure a premium finish for every film.
Yes, our services begin at the creative level. We collaborate with brands and agencies to develop compelling concepts, write effective scripts, and create detailed storyboards and animatics. We believe a strong creative foundation is the most critical part of a successful film.
We treat post-production as more than just finishing; it's integral to storytelling. Our in-house colourists ensure every frame has the right tone and mood, while our composers and sound designers craft original scores and audio landscapes that elevate the emotional impact of the film.
Success is measured not just by the beauty of the film but by its effectiveness in achieving the client’s goals—be it brand awareness, sales impact, or audience engagement. We aim to create films that resonate emotionally while delivering measurable business results.
Simply reach out to us with your project brief or initial idea. Our team will set up a discovery call to understand your goals and walk you through our process. From there, we'll prepare a tailored proposal to kick off the journey of creating your next award-winning film.