Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC), the most thrilling pop culture festival in the region, is returning to Abu Dhabi for its 11th edition from 3 to 5 March, 2023.

Organised by Informa Connect and supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the hugely anticipated event will be bigger than ever, taking over the entire new hall expansion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Featuring a host of new surprises and the return of timeless favourites, a limited number of discounted early bird tickets are now available from Platinumlist and Virgin Megastore Tickets.

Last year’s convention hosted a stellar line-up of celebrities, including Charlie Cox, Barry Keoghan, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Ming-Na Wen, Kevin Conroy, Sean Schemmel and Charles Martinet, as well as more than 250 exhibitors catering to over 24,000 visitors.

In 2023, MEFCC will be welcoming the voices behind many favourite cartoon characters. These include Paige O’Hara, known for voicing Belle in the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast, and numerous Broadway starring roles such as Ellie May Chipley in Showboat, Fantine in Les Misérables and Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

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/Super Smash Bros, is also due to attend. After starting his career at 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 a lot more to be announced soon.  

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 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 youngsters, and the Foodie’s Village, with food trucks and customised MEFCC menus.

Fans will get a 38 percent discount on one-day passes and 37 percent off three-day passes, compared to prices on the door, purchasers of early bird tickets have other perks including first access to news and announcements and exclusive invitations to community events taking place across the region.

One-day Pass (save 38%)

AED105

Three-day Pass (save 37%)

AED240

Fans are encouraged to get their tickets from Platinumlist and Virgin Megastore Tickets at www.mefcc.com/home/ticket-info before they sell out. Regular ticket prices apply after early bird tickets are sold out.

For more information and updates, visit www.mefcc.com

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CONTACT:          mefcc@comcomea.com
Tricia Jimenea 
Email:                tricia@comcomea.com  
Graeme Smit 
Email:                graeme@comcomea.com  
Tariq Hossam  
Email:                tariq@comcomea.com  

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

About Informa Connect

Informa Connect is a division of Informa plc, a global business that is listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE 100. Informa plc. has a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries with 11,000+ colleagues. Informa Connect is a live events and digital platform specialist connecting individuals and professionals with knowledge, ideas and opportunities. Our purpose is to champion the specialist. Through hundreds of powerful brands, we work with businesses and professionals in specialist markets, providing the connections, intelligence and opportunities that help customers grow, do business, make breakthroughs and take better informed decisions. Operating major branded events in Finance, Biotech & Pharma and in a number of other specialist markets and connect communities online year-round.