TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
The Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) kicked off on Friday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), attracting exhibitors, celebrities, artists, and comic book enthusiasts from around the globe to celebrate their shared passion for comics.
The three-day event, featuring an action-packed and star-studded programme, lived up to its promises, captivating attendees who embraced their favourite characters through cosplay. Many fans went all out, paying meticulous attention to their over-the-top costumes, makeup, colourful wigs, and the wildest of props, ranging from swords to lightsabres.
Walking through the crowded hall, attendees can be heard singing along to nostalgic music from TV shows of the good old days, evoking a sense of childlike wonder. The event offered many attractions encompassing several spinning wheels offering the chance to win prizes, a diverse array of board games from around the world, including Arabised versions, and virtual reality stations, to name a few.
The agenda includes anticipated appearances from celebrities such as James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley in Harry Potter) and Inaki Godoy and Taz Skylar (known for roles in One Piece – Live Action). For those eager to meet their favourite stars, opportunities were available to book slots for interactions, photos, or autographs. The Comic Creators Club provided a platform for enthusiasts to engage with the talented artists behind the scenes, including Marvel Comics' artist Mark Brooks who worked on Batman: Detective Comics, Immortal X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four.
Commenting on the gaming arena, Nabil Alhajasad Alyacoub, co-founder of Zawaya Gaming, the company operating the section sponsored by Abu Dhabi Gaming, emphasised the arena’s goal “to elevate the e-sports and gaming community as well as create an engaging atmosphere and entertaining experience that starts immediately as you walk through the gates of MEFCC.”
He also highlighted the positive impact such events have on local tourism. Making the trip over from Kuwaiti himself, he witnessed the huge numbers of people arriving in the UAE for MEFCC. “You see people in cosplay on the play and whole families on board excited to attend MEFCC,” he added.
The event also has a dedicated food truck area outside the exhibition, offering a convenient pitstop for attendees to refuel between rounds through the convention. People enjoyed their food while watching live shows and performances to keep the momentum going.
Fatima AlNuaimi, an artist and exhibitor at MEFCC, shared her positive experience participating in the convention for the second time saying “I came back because of last year’s success and people’s kind words.” She praised the encouraging and uplifting atmosphere of MEFCCwhich motivates and inspires her as a creative individual.
The family-friendly event is in Abu Dhabi until February 11, welcoming people of all ages and comic book know-how to join the fun with booths and activities catering to all interests.