The much-anticipated Brad Pitt-starrer, F1 The Movie, produced by Apple Original Films, will have its regional premiere in Abu Dhabi on June 25. The event marks a “full circle” moment for the cast and crew, who return to the capital where significant portions of the film were shot.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, the film tells the fictional story of Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver once hailed as “the greatest that never was.” His promising career in the 1990s was nearly ended by a devastating track accident.

Filming took place during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2024, spanning 29 production days at iconic locations including Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport, and twofour54 Studios. The production employed 284 local crew members and 15 interns, bolstering the local creative economy and benefiting from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s rebate scheme.

Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the Creative Media Authority, praised the collaboration, noting that F1 The Movie has made a significant economic and creative impact on Abu Dhabi’s film industry.

Since 2013, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission has supported over 180 major productions through its rebate program, positioning the emirate as a growing hub for international filmmaking.

The premiere will take place one day before the movie’s official release across the Middle East.