According to sources in the United Arab Emirates, the rapper sent members of his team to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, which is in Qatar, last week to look for potential filming and financing opportunities. Reportedly several local municipal officials and film companies are involved in a “heated bidding war” for work on the project. A source told the New York Observer, “In Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha all of the film initiatives are government controlled. A bidding war is going on between various government entities and private investors to fund the film. There’s pretty intense rivalry here between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar. They all want to claim the film as their own and take credit for generating the publicity.”
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“He conceived the story, which is set in the Gulf,” the source noted. “It’s supposed to showcase the beauty of the region, a piece that’s culturally sensitive and embraces the customs and traditions of the region.”

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West has performed in the Middle East several times, including a recent gig with Jay-Z at a private party for one of the ruling sheikh’s family members. West apparently wants to offer an “authentic” depiction of the culture and may cast some of those royal family members, as “many of the Sheikhs like to be flashy and appreciate celebrity notoriety.”
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West has not officially commented on the project yet, however West’s most recent tweet, from January 7, reads, “The world is our office.” That sounds like confirmation to us.