'Dune' wins six Oscars: Abu Dhabi-shot sci-fi film gets most awards on the night

Denis Villeneuve's epic sci-fi has been on a winning streak

Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Liet Kynes, an Imperial Planetologist who was originally written as a man in Frank Herbert's novel. All photos: Chiabella James / Warner Bros Pictures

Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica Atreides in 'Dune'.

Ferguson plays Chalamet's mother in the sci-fi film.

Zendaya stars as Chani, one of the native Fremen inhabitants of the planet Arrakis.

Oscas Isaac plays Duke Leto Atreides, Chalamet's father.

Josh Brolin as elite warrior Gurney Halleck.

Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, a warrior who helps train Chalamet's character.

A sequel to the film has now been confirmed.

Scenes were filmed in Jordan and the UAE, as well as Budapest.

It was the only film to win more than two Baftas, and now Dune, the Denis Villeneuve-directed sci-fi movie that was partly shot in Abu Dhabi, has bagged six Oscars.

The 94th Academy Awards took place on Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

It was a dramatic night, not least because of the dazzling outfits on the red carpet and tearful speeches, but also because of the on-stage tussle between Will Smith and Chris Rock, with Smith hitting Rock for joking about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the best-dressed women on the red carpet at the Oscars 2022:

Zendaya, wearing a Valentino shirt and sequinned skirt two-piece, attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards. AFP

Mila Kunis, wearing a blush-pink Zuhair Murad gown. AP

Jessica Chastain, wearing purple and gold sequinned Gucci. Getty Images

Jada Pinkett Smith, wearing green Jean Paul Gaultier. AFP

Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner, wearing gold Giambattista Valli. AP

Serena Williams, wearing dusty rose Gucci, with black floral detail and gloves. AFP

Alana Haim, wearing a scalloped sequinned Louis Vuitton gown. EPA

Lily James, wearing a pink lace Atelier Versace gown. AP

Jennifer Garner, wearing red Brandon Maxwell. AFP

Lupita Nyong'o, wearing gold floral Prada. Getty Images

Olivia Colman, wearing a draped metallic gown. AFP

Zoe Kravitz, wearing a blush Saint Laurent strapless gown. EPA

Kristen Stewart, wearing Chanel. EPA

Regina Hall, wearing a dusty-brown gown. AFP

Penelope Cruz, wearing a black Chanel gown. AFP

Venus Williams, in white Elie Saab. AFP

Uma Thurman, wearing a Bottega Veneta shirt and skirt. EPA

Tiffany Haddish, wearing green Dolce & Gabbana. AFP

Ava DuVernay, wearing studded Louis Vuitton. AFP

Molly Sims, wearing red Elie Saab. EPA

Rachel Zegler, wearing black Dior.

Billie Eilish, wearing black Gucci. Getty Images

Megan Thee Stallion, wearing a blue Gaurav Gupta gown. EPA

Cynthia Erivo, wearing black Louis Vuitton. AFP

Julianne Hough, wearing a honey yellow gown. EPA

Nicole Kidman, wearing steel blue Armani Prive. EPA

Maggie Gyllenhaal, wearing black and gold Schiaparelli. AFP

Ariana DeBose, wearing a caped red Valentino two-piece. AP

Emilia Jones, wearing ombre sequinned Louis Vuitton. AFP

Kirsten Dunst, wearing red Christian Lacroix. AFP

Marlee Matlin, wearing a red silk gown. AFP

Becky G, wearing golden Etro. Reuters

Amy Schumer, wearing navy Oscar de la Renta. AP

HER, wearing neon yellow Carolina Herrera. AFP

Maya Rudolph, wearing a feathered orange dress. AFP

Aunjanue Ellis, wearing a rich orange Atelier Versace gown. AFP

Caitriona Balfe, wearing off-white Louis Vuitton. Getty Images

Jessica Serfaty, wearing baby blue Tony Ward. EPA

Tracee Ellis Ross, wearing a red mermaid gown by Carolina Herrera. EPA

Este Haim, wearing a blue satin dress. AFP

Judi Dench, wearing an ivory dress and dress coat. AP

Queen Latifa, wearing yellow Pamella Roland. AFP

Saniyya Sidney, wearing Armani Prive. AFP

Naomi Scott, wearing purple beaded Fendi. Getty Images

Christine Baumgartner, wearing black and white Tony Ward, and Kevin Costner. AFP

Carolina Gaitan, wearing dusty pink Tony Ward. AP

Amy Forsyth, wearing red Marchesa. EPA

Demi Singleton, wearing purple Miu Miu. AFP

Renate Reinsve, wearing black and cream textured Louis Vuitton. Reuters

Vanessa Hudgens, wearing black sequinned Michael Kors Collection. AFP

Sofia Carson, wearing black tulle Giambattista Valli. Getty Images

Raya Abirached, wearing black Zuhair Murad.

Dune — adapted from Frank Herbert's book series of the same name — received 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Cinematography and Adapted Screenplay.

It won Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

The film, which stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and Zendaya, was shot in the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2019. The vast open landscape was used as the setting for the planet Arrakis ― a dangerous place known for its exclusive supply of spice, the most essential and valuable commodity in the universe.

“This is an absolutely phenomenal moment," Hans Fraikin, Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner, told The National. "A huge congratulations to all on this incredible success."

I speak for everyone in Abu Dhabi when I say we are very proud to have contributed to its success

Hans Fraikin,
Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner

Fraikin said the film has "performed the rare achievement of becoming critically acclaimed for its technique, storytelling and artistry, as well as being one of the biggest box office successes worldwide since its release".

"I speak for everyone in Abu Dhabi when I say we are very proud to have contributed to its success, through Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 per cent cashback rebate, a successful collaboration with Epic Films, and introducing Denis to the magnificent sea of sand dunes that provided such a unique and memorable location for the shoot, fully embodying the Spice planet Arrakis.

"Making Dune and bringing Denis’s vision to life was a true passion project for many of us, so its success at the Oscars, Baftas and Critics Choice Awards is incredibly rewarding. I am delighted for Legendary Pictures and everyone who worked on the film in Abu Dhabi and around the world.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see all the Oscars 2022 winners:

From left, Emilia Jones, Daniel Durant, Sian Heder, Marlee Matlin, Eugenio Derbez, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger, Justin Maurer, Philippe Rousselet, Troy Kotsur and Amy Forsyth accept the Best Picture award for ‘Coda’ on stage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

Will Smith accepts the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

US actress Jessica Chastain poses with the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' in the press room during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

US singer-songwriter Finneas O'Connell, left, and US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish accept the award for Best Music (Original Song) for 'No Time to Die' onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

Bryon Howard, from left, Clark Spencer, Yvett Merino, and Jared Bush, winners of the award for Best Animated Feature Film for 'Encanto', pose in the press room at the Oscar Awards event on Sunday, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP

Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia, winners of Best Live Action Short Film, pose in the press room during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California. Getty Images

Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, right, accepts the award for Best International Feature Film for 'Drive My Car' onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

Kenneth Branagh, winner of Best Original Screenplay for 'Belfast', poses in the press room at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP

Troy Kotsur poses with his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for 'Coda' in the press room during the 94th annual Academy Awards ceremony. EPA

New Zealand Director Jane Campion poses with the Best Director award for 'The Power Of The Dog' in the press room. AFP

Actress Ariana DeBose poses with her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 'West Side Story' in the press room during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

Left to right, Joseph Patel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson, David Dinerstein, and Robert Fyvolent pose with their Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for 'Summer of Soul (. . . Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),' in the press room during the 94th annual Academy Awards. EPA

The makeup and hairstyling team for 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' Linda Dowds, centre, Stephanie Ingram, left, and Justin Raleigh accepts the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Award at Oscars 2022. AFP

Brian Connor, second from left, Paul Lambert, third from left, Gerd Nefzer, third from right, and Tristan Myles, second from right, winners of the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for 'Dune', pose with presenters Rachel Zegler, left, and Jacob Elordi, right, in the press room. EPA

Spanish director and animator Alberto Mielgo, right, and Spanish producer Leo Sanchez show off their award for Best Animated Short Film for 'The Windshield Wiper' in the press room. AFP

Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot with his Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film for 'The Queen of Basketball'. EPA

Greig Fraser, winner of the Oscar for Cinematography for ‘Dune’, poses in the press room during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California. AFP

British costume designer Jenny Beavan accepts the Oscar for Best Costume Design for 'Cruella' during the 94th annual Academy Awards. EPA

British film editor Joe Walker poses with the Best Film Editing award for 'Dune'. AFP

Patrice Vermette, left, and Zsuzsanna Sipos, winners of the Academy Award for Production Design for 'Dune', pose with their Oscar trophies in the press room. EPA

The sound team of 'Dune', from left, Doug Hemphill, Theo Green, Mark Mangini, Ron Barlett, and Mac Ruth in the press room during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP

Best Sound was one of the eight statuettes that were handed out off-air, ahead of the ceremony.

Theo Green, one of Dune's five sound specialists cited by the Academy, thanked Villeneuve in edited remarks shown during the live Oscars telecast. “You, sir, were like the spice flowing through our brains, turning our humble ideas into your imaginary world.”

Ever since Denis Villeneuve first visited Abu Dhabi looking for a location for the planet Arrakis, it was clear that the emirate’s breathtaking desert landscapes were the perfect backdrop for his adaptation of 'Dune'

Hans Fraikin,
Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner

When it was announced that the film had been nominated for 10 awards, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission congratulated its cast and crew, and wished them luck and success at the ceremony.

“Ever since Denis Villeneuve first visited Abu Dhabi looking for a location for the planet Arrakis, it was clear that the emirate’s breathtaking desert landscapes were the perfect backdrop for his adaptation of Dune,” Fraikin said after the nominations were announced.

“The scenes shot in the stunning Liwa desert bring to life the adventure, mystery and romance of this legendary sci-fi tale, taking on a unique character that simply couldn’t have been created anywhere else in the world. We always knew that this film would be a spectacular piece of cinematography, and its critical and commercial success have shown it was even more impressive than we imagined."

In light of Dune's success, it was confirmed in October that a sequel is in the works. Warner Bros Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich announced that the studio would release Dune: Part Two in October 2023.