Officials in Dhi Qar Governorate have announced the establishment of Iraq’s first fully integrated city dedicated to drama and film production. The project, covering an area of 25,000 square meters, has been developed within the Ur Tourist City.

Hussain Khazal, Assistant Director of Ur Tourist City, described the initiative as the first project of its kind in Iraq and a comprehensive artistic complex designed to support television and cinematic production.

He explained that the drama city includes several historically inspired districts. Among them is a Babylonian quarter that recreates aspects of life in ancient Mesopotamia, featuring models of shops, houses, and classrooms reflecting the civilization’s architectural style.

The complex also contains a Sumerian quarter comprising 12 traditional-style houses along with representations of Sumerian-era professions. In addition, an old Iraqi neighborhood has been constructed to document crafts, trades, and aspects of popular life dating back to the 1920s.

Khazal further noted that the project includes a fully equipped 880-square-meter studio dedicated to filming interior scenes for television series and films. The facility also features a media and performance platform, a small theater, and dancing fountains designed to enhance its cultural appeal.

A centerpiece of the development is an opera house — the first of its kind in Iraq — with a seating capacity of 1,250 people. According to Khazal, the project represents a major addition to Iraq’s cultural and artistic infrastructure, contributing to the growth of the national drama industry and positioning Dhi Qar as a potential hub for local and regional productions.