Solar Decathlon Middle East 2021 – Story of Sustainable Innovation

The Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) 2021, organized by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), united university teams from across the world to design and build zero-energy, solar-powered homes tailored for the Middle East's climate. Solar Decathlon Middle East is a global sustainability challenge that brings together universities, innovators, and industry leaders to design and build energy-efficient homes for the future. The client required a documentary-style video that could clearly communicate the scale, purpose, and real-world impact of the event while remaining accessible to a broad audience. We delivered a cinematic yet grounded film that captured the people, technology, and ambition driving Solar Decathlon Middle East, from concept to on-site execution.

Pre-Production

Pre-production began with stakeholder briefings to understand the objectives, messaging priorities, and audience expectations for Solar Decathlon Middle East. Our team reviewed past editions of the event, studied the competition framework, and mapped key moments to document, including site development, team participation, and sustainability innovations. Scripts and interview prompts were drafted to guide filming without restricting authenticity. Storyboards and shot lists were prepared for both wide-scale infrastructure and human-focused storytelling, followed by a detailed shooting schedule and approval process to align with event timelines and site access protocols.

Production

Production took place on location across the Solar Decathlon Middle East site, including active construction zones, innovation showcases, and team walkthroughs. A multi-disciplinary crew handled camera operation, aerial footage, and still photography using cinema-grade cameras, drones, and stabilisation tools. We worked closely with safety officers to ensure compliance while filming live environments. The approach balanced structured coverage with observational moments, capturing genuine interactions between participants, engineers, and organisers without disrupting the flow of the event.

Post-Production

Post-production focused on shaping a clear narrative from a large volume of footage. The edit combined interviews, observational visuals, and wide environmental shots to maintain pace and clarity. Colour correction and grading were applied to unify footage captured across varied lighting conditions. Motion graphics were added to support key themes without overpowering the story. Voice-over editing, sound design, and audio mixing ensured clarity across platforms. Multiple review rounds were completed to refine messaging before final exports were delivered in formats suitable for web, presentations, and official screenings.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Capturing a Large-Scale Sustainability Event Clearly

Solar Decathlon Middle East spans multiple zones, teams, and activities, making it challenging to present the event's scale without overwhelming the viewer.

Solution: We structured the shoot around key story pillars and used wide establishing shots supported by focused human moments to maintain clarity and flow.

Challenge 2: Filming Safely Within Active Construction Areas

The event took place across live construction and testing zones with strict safety and access controls, limiting filming windows and movement.

Solution: Advance coordination with site teams and flexible shot planning allowed us to capture essential visuals while fully complying with safety protocols.

Challenge 3: Communicating Technical Innovation to a Broad Audience

Sustainable housing and smart design concepts risked feeling too technical for non-specialist viewers.

Solution: We relied on visual storytelling and real interactions rather than heavy explanations, allowing innovation to be understood through action and context.

Project Outcome

The final film delivered a clear, engaging overview of Solar Decathlon Middle East, highlighting its role in shaping sustainable housing and future-ready talent. The content was used across official event channels, partner platforms, and internal communications. Client feedback emphasised the film's clarity, visual credibility, and its ability to communicate both scale and purpose without feeling promotional or overstated.