The pop culture festival will return to Abu Dhabi in March 2023.
If you’re a pop culture addict – and proud of it – this one’s for you. Not only is the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) set to return to Abu Dhabi for its 11th edition from 3 to 5 March, but early bird tickets are also available circa now. Organised by Informa Connect and supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the region’s most thrilling pop culture festival promises to be bigger than ever, taking over the entire new hall expansion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Featuring a killer line-up of celebrities from film, television and comic books as well as a host of new surprises and the return of old favourites. Middle East Film and Comic Con has announced that Matt Smith, known for his portrayal of the 11th Doctor on Doctor Who and as Prince Philip in The Crown, will be the first celebrity headliner at the pop culture festival.
He will be joined by Christopher Sabat, a renowned voice actor known for his roles in Dragon Ball Z and other anime series, and by Disney master artists Mike and Patty Peraza.
Smith has earned critical acclaim for his performances in Doctor Who, Morbius, and House of the Dragon, where he played the villainous Prince Daemon Targaryen, earning him a cult following.
Christopher Sabat is known for providing the voice of Vegeta, Piccolo, and many other characters in the Dragon Ball Z anime and video game series. He has also lent his voice to characters in One Piece, YuYu Hakusho, Fairy Tail, and My Hero Academia, as well as founding OkraTron 5000, an audio production company.
MEFCC will also welcome Disney designer Mike Peraza, who has worked on The Little Mermaid, Duck Tales, Fox and the Hound, Return to Oz, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, among others. He will be accompanied by his wife, Patty Peraza, also a Disney master artist and the first female hire of Walt Disney Studio.
These include Paige O’Hara, who’s known for voicing Belle in Beauty and the Beast and numerous Broadway starring roles such as Ellie May Chipley in Showboat and Fantine in Les Misérables. Los Angeles-based voice actor Zach Aguilar – best known for his roles as Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Aether in Genshin Impact, and Byleth in Fire Emblem: Three Houses – is also due to attend. After starting his career at only 14 years old, Aguilar has become a force in the industry as one of the youngest working voice actors in the field.
With a new hall added to the already expansive space, the new features for 2023 include the Gaming Arena and the Cosplay Central. The Middle East Games Con will now be a part of MEFCC with a dedicated space, the Gaming Arena. Featuring retro and unreleased games, eSports tournaments, gaming software, accessories, hardware and limited-edition merchandise, this new development will give fans the best in inspiring gaming fun. Each year, characters are brought to life by the most devoted fans at MEFCC: the Cosplayers. So, apart from the annual cosplay competition, this instalment will include Cosplay Central to supercharge the cosplay experience with meet-and-greets with local and international professional cosplayers, cosplay repair stations and lockers, green screen photo opportunities, and more.
MEFCC is also gearing up for three thrilling days of unlimited action at various zones that have become annual favourites. While the entire roster of celebrities has yet to be revealed, the Meet the Stars section will be as big as ever. The Cine Club – another unmissable feature – is hosting Q&As with the stars, allowing fans to quiz their heroes and view exclusive trailers and film screenings. The Creative Academy, meanwhile, will offer hands-on learning experiences in workshops from world-renowned comic book, film, TV, arts and crafts, gaming, cosplay and content creation experts.
Visitors can also dive into a different dimension of creativity and imagination, explore art, and meet the geniuses behind the masterpieces at the Artist Alley. In the Retail Area and MEFCC Exclusive Merchandise zones, fans can snap up a range of collectibles, signed merchandise, exclusives, customised art and more. At the outdoor Festival Stage in the Festival Plaza, the thrills include a packed itinerary of cosplay, dance competitions, giveaways, entertainment, pop quizzes, karaoke and more. The plaza will also host Kid’s World with bouncy castles and activities for younger fans, as well as the Foodie’s Village, complete with food trucks and customised MEFCC menus.
Fans purchasing early bird tickets will get a 38 percent discount on one-day passes (AED 105) and 37 percent off three-day passes (AED 240), compared to prices at the door. They’ll also enjoy perks such as first access to news and announcements, as well as exclusive invitations to community events taking place across the region. Early bird tickets are now available from Platinumlist and Virgin Megastore Tickets.
DSCVR: The Middle East Film & Comic Con, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Rawdah Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi. @mefcc
