‘F1 The Movie' to premiere in Abu Dhabi ahead of Middle East release
Apple Original Films' summer blockbuster F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, will make its regional debut with a premiere in Abu Dhabi on June 25, 2025. Distributed globally and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, the event film will officially release across the Middle East on June 26, marking a symbolic return to the city where much of the movie was filmed.
The premiere brings the production full circle, as cast and crew reunite in Abu Dhabi after wrapping principal photography during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December. The film was produced in collaboration with the Creative Media Authority, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, and local production partner Epic Films.
F1 The Movie tells the fictional story of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, a once-promising Formula 1 driver from the 1990s whose career was nearly ended by a tragic accident. Decades later, Sonny lives a nomadic life on the racing circuit until he's approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes, portrayed by Javier Bardem. Ruben, now the owner of a failing Formula 1 team, urges Sonny to return to the sport for one final shot at greatness. Sonny is paired with rookie sensation Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, and must confront both the challenges of the modern racing world and the unresolved ghosts of his past. As the two drivers clash on and off the track, Sonny learns that redemption in Formula 1 isn't a solo journey—and that teammates can be your greatest rivals.
Filmed during real Grand Prix weekends around the globe, the film's Abu Dhabi production spanned 29 days and involved three separate shooting periods. Locations included the Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport and twofour54 Studios. The project employed 284 local crew members, with Epic Films leading the regional production efforts. In addition, 15 young Emirati interns were given the opportunity to work alongside top-tier international filmmakers, gaining hands-on experience through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's rebate and training programmes.
The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, and produced by Kosinski through Monolith Pictures, alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman for Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton also serves as a producer under his Dawn Apollo Films banner, joined by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment. The screenplay, penned by Academy Award nominee Ehren Kruger, is based on a story developed by Kosinski and Kruger. The production was created in partnership with Formula 1, with full support from Formula 1 Management, all 10 teams, F1 drivers, and the FIA.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming back the cast and crew for a fourth F1-related occasion after hosting the team on three different shoots across three years. Not only in terms of duration but also in terms of economic impact, the F1 The Movie production has made a significant difference to Abu Dhabi's creative ecosystem and to host the region's premiere as part of a global tour, this will be a fitting closing moment and celebration to the full lifecycle of the production project and our first official partnership with Apple Original Films.'
Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, commented: 'We are incredibly proud to be hosting a premiere for F1 The Movie – a moment which will see many of the cast and crew return to Abu Dhabi after wrapping 29 days of production – including days at the Yas Marina Circuit. As we continue to drive the film and TV production industry of Abu Dhabi forward, milestone moments such as premieres provide us the ideal opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts to support the visions of some of the world's leading directors and producers from Arabic, Bollywood and Hollywood within a welcoming and supportive environment.'
F1 The Movie is one of 180 major production supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority, since the introduction of the rebate in 2013.
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