Overview
Client:
Dubai Police – Events Security Committee
Industry:
Government · Public Safety · Events Communication
Region:
Dubai, UAE
Services:
Concept Development · Scriptwriting · Illustration & Character Design · 2D Animation · Motion Graphics · Multilingual Voiceover (Arabic / English / Urdu)
About
Every New Year’s Eve, thousands of people head to Downtown Dubai to celebrate and watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks. For 2025, Dubai Police and the Events Security Committee wanted more than written announcements and traffic bulletins.
They needed a comprehensive 5-minute 40-second illustrated explainer film that could:
- Visually guide people on how to reach and move inside Downtown Dubai
- Explain routes, gates, parking, timings, and safety rules in detail
- Work for residents, visitors, and tourists coming from different backgrounds
The Portal Agency created a full-length animated video – including custom characters, Dubai Police officers (men and women), Dubai Police cars, and a stylized but recognizable Dubai skyline with landmarks like Burj Khalifa – supported by voiceover in Arabic, English, and Urdu to match Dubai’s multilingual audience.
The Challenge
The operational plan for New Year’s Eve was complex and detailed:
- Multiple ways to arrive (Metro, public buses, shuttle buses, private cars)
- Different viewing areas for families and individuals
- Dedicated flows for residents, hotel/restaurant guests, and invitation holders
- Road closures, parking areas, shuttle timings, and security checkpoints
- Emergency numbers, support tents, child safety bracelets, prohibited items, and alternative routes
Summarizing all this in a single 5:40 film meant:
- Keeping the structure clear and logical from start to finish
- Using visual storytelling so viewers can follow along even as many details are covered
- Making the content accessible for Arabic, English, and Urdu speakers via separate voiceover tracks
Objectives
Together with Dubai Police, The Portal Agency defined clear objectives:
1. Turn the full New Year’s Eve security and logistics plan into a structured, animated 5:40-minute film.
2. Use illustrations and character animation to show routes, behaviors, and safety practices visually.
3. Produce three VO versions (Arabic, English, Urdu) to reach the widest possible audience in Dubai.
4. Help reduce confusion on the ground by letting people see the plan and flows before they arrive.
Reinforce Dubai Police as organized, proactive, and community-focused.
Our Strategy
We approached the video as a guided illustrated journey through New Year’s Eve in Dubai, split into clear “chapters” inside the 5:40 runtime.
Story First, Not Just Rules
Instead of a long list of instructions, we built a narrative that:
- Starts with the purpose: keeping everyone safe while they enjoy the celebrations
- Introduces the Events Security Committee and key contact numbers (999 for emergencies, 901 for non-emergencies)
- Walks viewers step-by-step through:
- How to arrive and when
- Where to park and how to use shuttle buses
- Which gates and areas are for families vs individuals
- What to expect inside viewing areas and how to leave safely
The pace was designed so viewers can absorb a lot of information without feeling overwhelmed.
Execution
1. Script & Information Architecture
We started by restructuring the raw operational information into a logical flow that fits into 5:40 minutes:
- Arrival methods and recommended timings
- Free and shuttle-connected parking areas
- Road closure times and what they mean for drivers
- Paths and gates for families vs individuals
- Instructions for residents, hotel/restaurant guests, and invitation holders
- Safety instructions, support tents, bracelets for children, and emergency numbers
We then wrote an animation-friendly script for each language, pairing each block of narration with a specific visual sequence.
2. Illustration & Character Design
We built a full illustrated toolkit for the film:
- Dubai Police officers (male and female) as friendly, authoritative guides
- Families, individuals, and children moving calmly through the event areas
- Dubai Police vehicles and traffic scenes
- Cityscapes and iconic elements like Burj Khalifa
- Custom icons and graphics for:
- Metro, buses, private cars
- Parking, shuttle buses, gates, and checkpoints
- Support tents, child bracelets, and emergency services
The art direction balanced official/governmental seriousness with approachable, clear visuals.
3. 2D Animation & Motion Graphics
With all artwork approved, we animated the full 5:40 film:
- Maps and arrows showing movement flows and routes
- Vehicles traveling from parking hubs to viewing zones via shuttle lines
- Characters entering areas, going through security, and following staff guidance
- Timelines and clocks to clearly mark key times (arrival suggestions, road closures, etc.)
- Subtle transitions that help the viewer move between segments without losing track
Everything was precisely timed to the Arabic, English, and Urdu voiceovers, respecting the full narrative while keeping the pacing engaging.
4. Multilingual Voiceover & Sound
We recorded and synced three language versions:
- Arabic – for the core local audience
- English – for expats, tourists, and international residents
- Urdu – for a major segment of Dubai’s working and resident population
Across all three, we ensured:
- A calm, authoritative tone matching Dubai Police’s identity
- Clear emphasis on critical information (timings, gates, routes, emergency numbers)
- Tight sync between voiceover, on-screen text (where used), and animated visuals
Light music and sound design supported the film without distracting from the instructions.
Results & Impact
The 5:40-minute animated film gave Dubai Police a powerful, multilingual tool to communicate a very complex event plan.
Key impacts:
- Turned a dense New Year’s Eve operational plan into a single, coherent visual story.
- Helped viewers understand where to go, when to arrive, and how to move safely, before they even reached Downtown Dubai.
- Strengthened trust by showing that every detail from parking to child safety bracelets and support tents had been thought through.
- The three language versions (Arabic, English, Urdu) allowed the message to reach a much broader audience, reflecting the real mix of people attending the event.
The film supported smoother crowd flow, better cooperation with authorities, and a safer, more organized New Year’s Eve experience for everyone.