MEFCC 2023 is open to large crowds in Abu Dhabi – Middle East. I…

Check out the 10 unmissable things to do at this year’s MEFCC

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate celebration of pop culture as the 11th Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) kicks off its grand opening yesterday through the 5th. Get ready for an epic adventure as fans from around the world gather at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) to experience the region’s premier comics and film festival. The event opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the inauguration of HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi).

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) attended the ribbon cutting ceremony

Buckle up for an action-packed weekend, as this year’s schedule is packed and there’s an exciting line-up not to be missed!

1. Feed your Grams at Meet the Stars
Come face to face with your beloved heroes! From the Q&A panel that makes you star-studded, to the meet and greet where you can take pictures and get autographs, this area is where all your fan dreams come true. Rub shoulders with famous actors and talented voiceover artists, and get ready to make your social media the envy of all your friends.

From Hollywood all the way to Abu Dhabi, our MEFCC guest stars hail from the worlds of Marvel, DC, Star Wars and more fandom. We have Hayden Christensen and Anthony Daniel (Anakin Skywalker and C3PO in Star Wars), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon, Doctor Who, The Crown and Morbius), David Harbor (Thunderbolt, Stranger Things, Hellboy and Black Widow), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, Planet of the Apes, Star Wars, Black Panther and Batman), May Calamawy (Moon Knight and Rummy ) and Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things, Harry Potter and Twilight).

Voice actors from your favorite animated films, series, and games such as Christopher Sabat (Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia, and One Piece), Zach Aguilar (Demon Slayer, Genshin Impact, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and One Punch Man) and Paige O’Hara (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) will also be there to meet and greet at the event.

With the bragging rights of a lifetime, you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity!

2. Get your creative juices flowing with International Artists and Artist Lane powered by Manga Arabia
Characters, stories, worlds and even entire universes come to life thanks to the boundless vision and energy of the artists and creators. Artists Lane is where local, regional and global talent showcase their latest work. Stop by cartoonists and cartoonists, and even get commissioned work done on demand.

Artists you’ll see at MEFCC include Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn, Death Metal, and Death in the Family), Ryan Ottley (Spiderman, Invincible, and the Hulk), Jock (Batman, Wolverine, and The Judge), Ken Lashley (X-Men, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Batman, Suicide Squad, and Superman), Mike Peraza (Duck Tales, The Little Mermaid, Troops of Idiots, and Aladdin), Patti Peraza (Black Pan, Beauty With the Beast, Mr. and Mrs. Tom) & Jerry), Long Vo (X-Men, Street Fighter, Robotech, Thundercats, Power Rangers & Voltron), Jeffrey Cruz (Mega-Man, TMNT, Transformers, Power Rangers & Street Fighter), David Angelo Roman (Rick and Morty, Star Wars, The Walking Dead, and Steven Universe), James C. Mulligan (Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins) and Quiccs (toy designer and street art).

3. View the activities of Likecard Festival Stag
Sometimes you just need to rock out and make some noise – the festival stage is home to exhilarating dance lessons from celebrity choreographer G-Force, performances from Ashen Runway and the Boxtones, live DJ sets from DJ Abood and DJ Trina, PUBG Mobile from LikeCard , COD Mobile and Stumble Guys Mobile tournaments, exciting competitions showcased by One Piece, Naruto and Demon Slayer, and a blockbuster cosplay competition!

4. Join a film club panel.
Film Club is where future directors and film lovers come together to enjoy fireside chats, meet film lovers and enjoy exclusive features, trailers and feature films! Meet your favorite film actors and artists in three days of panel discussions.

5. Take a masterclass (or two!) at the Creative Academy.
Challenge your artistic skills with legendary master classes in comic books, anime, cosplay, film, and voice acting. The Creative Academy offers aspiring artists, cosplayers and animators the unique opportunity to learn from the best minds in the industry and help them take their careers to the next level.

6. Create and collaborate with other cosplayers at Cosplay Central.
MEFCC has a brand new role-playing area. In addition to the cosplay contest, there are opportunities to meet and greet professional cosplayers, visit the cosplay repair shop and indulge in photo opportunities that will really help you bring your favorite characters to life.

7. Start your game in the game arena.
MEFCC is also upping the fun this year with another new area – this time dedicated to gamers. The Gaming Arena will host limited-edition merchandise, esports tournaments, gaming accessories and hardware, and action-packed tournaments. From NBA2K, CS: GO, FIFA 23, Fortnite to Rocket League, those who make it through the qualifiers will battle it out in live finalist tournaments.

8. Bring home some swag.
What’s a pact without some swag? Some fantastic finds await at MEFCC – from comic books, original or commissioned prints, board games, Funko Pops, trading cards, shirts and other collectibles for sale. Get your hands on exclusive limited-edition figures, or shop for some signed merch from celebrities and artists.

9. Recharge and refuel with tasty treats specially designed for MEFCC.
Get ready to fuel all the action with an incredible array of food and drink options! From the mouthwatering Asian-inspired dishes at Comic Con Wok at Wok Boyz, to the full Star Wars menu at Brassa Star Wars, including Vader’s rib eye platter and Jabba’s fish and chips, you won’t want to miss a bite. Looking for something a little more classic? Wing Stop offers you a delicious line of wing flavors, while Oro Pizzeria will satisfy all your pizza cravings. When you need a caffeine boost, head to Lamarz for their specialty coffee drinks.

But the food options don’t stop there! DNA Boardgames offers a delicious range of sandwiches, salads and appetizers, while High Joint offers mouth-watering burgers, fries and drinks. For those who crave Japanese food, UDN has prepared delicious UDN Katsu Chicken and Chicken Gyoza. If you’re looking for something healthier, be sure to check out The Acai Spot’s Original Acai Bowl or Yummy Berry Acai Bowl. With so many delicious options, MEFCC is sure to make a foodie’s dream come true!

10. There’s something for young heroes, too.
Attention all families! MEFCC extravaganza has something for everyone, including our youngest heroes! Venture into the exciting Kids Zone at Festival Plaza, where the bouncy castle face painting activity will keep your little ones mesmerized. Witness your children unleash their inner hero in a role-playing competition for kids, with every participant triumphing. Finally, the Creative Academy offers programs that inspire and ignite the imaginations of our budding prodigies.

Have fun with friends, family and the whole community!

This year’s lineup of events at MEFCC is absolutely unexpected, and while Ultimate VIP and VIP tickets may sell out, it’s not too late to buy individual passes for AED 135 for one day and AED 299 for three days.

About the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism:

Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives sustainable development of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sector, drives economic progress and helps realize Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By partnering with organizations that position the emirate as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, align efforts and investments, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools to support the cultural and tourism industries policies and systems.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We are committed to elevating Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living tradition of hospitality, pioneering innovation and creative thinking.

About Informa Connect:

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