Latest news with #MiddleEastFilmandComicCon
Gulf Insider
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
Abu Dhabi To Host Middle East Film And Comic Con Until 2027
The Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) will be held in Abu Dhabi until at least 2027. The agreement was announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Informa during Arabian Travel Market 2025 and confirms the emirate as the event's home for a further two editions. Since relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2022, MEFCC has firmly established itself as the biggest pop culture event in the region, experiencing remarkable growth and attracting diverse celebrities, artists, and fans. Middle East Film and Comic Con Each edition has surpassed previous attendance records, solidifying its position as a leading event for pop culture enthusiasts. The 2025 edition, which concluded last week (April 18-20), welcomed 38,000 visitors, attracting 400 international brands and celebrities such as: Andrew Garfield from the Amazing Spider-Man franchiseCharlie Cox from Matt MurdockNatalia Dyer from Stranger ThingsHideo Ishikawa from NarutoEmily Rudd from One PieceThe popular Gaming Arena, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming, delivered a line-up of gaming tournaments and challenges across consoles, PC, and mobiles. Gaming enthusiasts also had the exclusive opportunity to demo new games before anyone else. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: 'The continued success of MEFCC in Abu Dhabi reiterates our commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape. We are excited to witness the consistent year-on-year growth in overall attendance, and the increasing number of international visitors who are drawn to experience the Middle East's biggest and most exciting celebration of pop culture. 'This partnership extension with Informa further solidifies Abu Dhabi's position as a leading destination for entertainment and cultural experiences, attracting even more visitors from around the globe.' MEFCC offers an expansive range of activities and exhibitions that celebrate various facets of pop culture, including film, television, gaming, anime, and comics. Past editions have featured high-profile guests such as David Harbour from Stranger Things, Hayden Christensen from Star Wars, Matt Smith from House of the Dragon, and Iñaki Godoy of One Piece, alongside voice acting legends from Transformers, Dragon Ball Z, and The Last of Us. Shabnam Rawal, Managing Director of Informa said: 'It's an absolute privilege to work in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi to deliver Middle East Film and Comic Con at such a world-class level. Their vision and support have helped elevate MEFCC into one of the region's most iconic and anticipated pop culture events. 'As we look ahead, we're incredibly excited to continue this journey together and build on this momentum over the next two years—delivering even more unforgettable experiences for fans and continued growth for the creative industries in the UAE.' During MEFCC event weekends, the emirate aims to attract more than 50,000 attendees, with a high number of international visitors expected. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030 to boost visitor numbers to 39.3m and increase the travel and tourism sector's GDP contribution to AED90bn ($24.5bn) by 2030.
Arabian Business
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi to host Middle East Film and Comic Con until 2027
The Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) will be held in Abu Dhabi until at least 2027. The agreement was announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Informa during Arabian Travel Market 2025 and confirms the emirate as the event's home for a further two editions. Since relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2022, MEFCC has firmly established itself as the biggest pop culture event in the region, experiencing remarkable growth and attracting diverse celebrities, artists, and fans. Middle East Film and Comic Con Each edition has surpassed previous attendance records, solidifying its position as a leading event for pop culture enthusiasts. The 2025 edition, which concluded last week (April 18-20), welcomed 38,000 visitors, attracting 400 international brands and celebrities such as: Andrew Garfield from the Amazing Spider-Man franchise Charlie Cox from Matt Murdock Natalia Dyer from Stranger Things Hideo Ishikawa from Naruto Emily Rudd from One Piece The popular Gaming Arena, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming, delivered a line-up of gaming tournaments and challenges across consoles, PC, and mobiles. Gaming enthusiasts also had the exclusive opportunity to demo new games before anyone else. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: 'The continued success of MEFCC in Abu Dhabi reiterates our commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape. We are excited to witness the consistent year-on-year growth in overall attendance, and the increasing number of international visitors who are drawn to experience the Middle East's biggest and most exciting celebration of pop culture. 'This partnership extension with Informa further solidifies Abu Dhabi's position as a leading destination for entertainment and cultural experiences, attracting even more visitors from around the globe.' MEFCC offers an expansive range of activities and exhibitions that celebrate various facets of pop culture, including film, television, gaming, anime, and comics. Past editions have featured high-profile guests such as David Harbour from Stranger Things, Hayden Christensen from Star Wars, Matt Smith from House of the Dragon, and Iñaki Godoy of One Piece, alongside voice acting legends from Transformers, Dragon Ball Z, and The Last of Us. Shabnam Rawal, Managing Director of Informa said: 'It's an absolute privilege to work in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi to deliver Middle East Film and Comic Con at such a world-class level. Their vision and support have helped elevate MEFCC into one of the region's most iconic and anticipated pop culture events. 'As we look ahead, we're incredibly excited to continue this journey together and build on this momentum over the next two years—delivering even more unforgettable experiences for fans and continued growth for the creative industries in the UAE.' During MEFCC event weekends, the emirate aims to attract more than 50,000 attendees, with a high number of international visitors expected.
The National
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Voice actor Colleen O'Shaughnessey on playing Tails and why AI can't replace emotion in art
A new generation of fans is endearing itself to Sonic the Hedgehog. Having become mainstream in the 1990s with the release of the video games on Sega, Sonic amassed a legion of dedicated fans that has only grown since then – especially thanks to the character's 2020 film. And while Sonic is undoubtedly the star of the show, there is another character that has also won fans over: Miles 'Tails' Prower. Tails, a fox cub with two tails who serves as Sonic's sidekick, was first introduced in the second Sonic video game in 1992 and quickly became a fan favourite. Since 2014, Tails has been brought to life by voice actor Colleen O'Shaughnessey, first in the video games and more recently in the films. O'Shaughnessey has had a prolific career, appearing in other popular franchises such as Digimon, Bleach and Mobile Suit Gundam. At the weekend, she was in Abu Dhabi for Middle East Film and Comic Con as a celebrity guest, where she took pictures with fans and signed memorabilia. Speaking to The National, O'Shaughnessey explained what feels different about voicing Tails now compared to when she first started, more than a decade ago. 'I think the biggest difference is the circumstances where he finds himself,' O'Shaughnessey says. "When I first started voicing Tails, it was for Sonic Boom and Sonic and Tails already had an established relationship.' However, in the films, this storyline arc changed. Instead, Sonic meets and befriends Tails for the first time, which O'Shaughnessey says meant she needed to change the tone of the character, instead making him a little more serious. 'He's nervous to meet him and the stakes are much higher. It's a little more cinematic and grounded,' she says. O'Shaughnessey adds that she loves how the films have brought in a whole new generation of fans to the franchise. "My favourite is when little kids now, they'll come up and their parents will be like, 'Look, it's Tails', and they're like, 'What do you mean?' And I'll do the voice," she says. 'Their eyes get really big and then they start laughing, it's the cutest. They can't wrap their head around why this lady's face is making that sound, but that's my favourite.' During her career, O'Shaughnessey has also voiced characters in the Studio Ghibli films Spirited Away and Ponyo. Her close working relationship with the storied Japanese animation house meant she understandably raised an eyebrow at the latest trend of artificial intelligence mimicking its famed visual style. "I don't love it," she says. "AI can be a wonderful thing. I think there are ways to use AI in certain ways to make things easier, but when it comes to artistic integrity and the creative process, I don't think you can teach a computer how to feel human emotions.' When it comes to AI in voice acting, she also believes it falls short because it can't get the nuance of a character the same way a human can. "I think it's just very different," she says. "You can teach a computer a lot of things and it can learn, and I understand that technology is moving so fast, but it's not my favourite.'
Mid East Info
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
The Little Things Celebrates 10 Years of Unforgettable Presence at Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
The Little Things is the official Cosplay Parade Sponsor at MEFCC 2025 adding energy and vibrancy to the iconic event. The Little Things is planning a massive surprise that will make history this year at MEFCC 2025 Abu Dhabi, UAE, 9thApril 2025: The Little Things, a leading pop culture retail store in the Middle East, is excited to celebrate its 10th year of participation at Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) 2025 —the largest pop culture festival in the region! The event brings together pop culture fans for a fun-filled weekend celebrating movies, tv, anime, comics, cosplay, art and gaming in the UAE bringing together different fandoms, artists, cosplayers, gamers, and collectors for three special days in Abu Dhabi. Known for offering the best in collectibles, anime and gaming, The Little Things is all set to make its mark once again at the MEFCC 2025 from April 18-20 at ADNEC Centre. The Middle East Film and Comic Con is an excellent opportunity for The Little Things to reinforce their commitment to community building. Over the years, The Little Things has cultivated a strong connection with fans and pop-culture enthusiasts, creating a space where they can engage with and celebrate the things they love. To mark the 10th year at MEFCC, The Little Things is bringing BIG collaborations, exciting collections and exclusives from global favorites like Friends, POP MART, Bandai Namco and Good Smile Company. Visitors will be able to explore unique collectibles, including statues, action figures, toys, plushies, novelties, and more. Beyond the products, MEFCC attendees will also have the chance to meet their favorite stars, including Emily Rudd (Nami from One Piece), Hideo Ishikawa (Itachi from Naruto), and Daiki Yamashita (Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia), adding to the sense of community that makes The Little Things' presence at MEFCC so special. The Little Things is excited to continue a beloved tradition at MEFCC by hosting the Cosplay Parade for the second year in a row! The parade will kick off at The Little Things booth, where fans will bring their favorite characters to life in a dynamic celebration. With lively anime and pop culture music, the parade will energize the crowd as it winds through the venue. Attendees will receive flaglets and banners to join the fun, and the parade will return to The Little Things booth for a mini party to wrap up the festivities. Stay tuned for details on how to be part of this epic parade! Commenting on the event, Hassan Tamimi, CEO of The Little Things, said, 'We are thrilled to return to Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025 for the tenth year, bringing an even bigger and more exciting experience for anime enthusiasts and pop culture fans. Our participation goes beyond launching exclusive collectibles and driving sales—we are dedicated to creating a fun, inclusive, and safe space where fans can fully embrace their love for anime, gaming, and pop culture. As the official Cosplay Parade Sponsor, we take pride in celebrating the creativity and passion of the cosplay community, adding energy and vibrancy to this iconic event. We're gearing up to make this year unforgettable — so get ready for massive surprises that will make history at MEFCC 2025!' Reflecting on last year's success, The Little Things thrilled fans with surprise giveaways and exclusive releases like the One Piece Funko Pop! Shanks and Figurama Collectors' Plawres Sanshiro statue, and high-energy performances, including flash mobs featuring pop culture, hip-hop, and K-pop. This year, we are building on that momentum with even bigger surprises, including photobooths, cosplay workshops, and more. Get ready for a weekend packed with excitement! Don't miss out on this unforgettable weekend of anime, gaming, and pop culture—join The Little Things at MEFCC 2025 for an experience like no other. Get ready to dive into an action-packed event, packed with surprises, exclusive collectibles, and more. See you at The Little Things booth! About The Little Things: The Little Things stands as a vibrant cornerstone of pop-culture retail in the UAE and the Middle East. The store offers a unique selection of pop-culture merchandise that celebrates nostalgia and imagination. Staying true to its mantra, 'Unlock Worlds You've Never Seen,' The Little Things brings childhood fantasies to life, rekindling cherished memories for fans and collectors alike. With a reputation for exclusivity and variety, The Little Things ensures every customer finds something special to ignite their passion. Its deep connection with the community extends beyond products, hosting events, fostering creativity, and collaborating with local talents. Whether you're searching for rare finds or seeking to connect with fellow enthusiasts, The Little Things transforms shopping into an immersive journey of wonder and discovery. Website: Instagram: thelittlethingsme/ Facebook: thelittlethingsmee Tiktok: @thelittlethingsme
The National
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Andrew Garfield to appear at 2025 Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi
Andrew Garfield, star of The Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at this year's Middle East Film and Comic Con. The three-day event will take place from April 18 to 20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Garfield's appearance was announced during a graffiti art stunt at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Friday. He will be joining a list of celebrities that includes Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio from Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again; Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid; and Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer. They are expected to take part in a panel discussion and will be available for pictures and signing sessions. Garfield is a two-time Oscar nominee thanks to his roles in Hacksaw Ridge and Tick, Tick … Boom! Known for his versatile acting, he has collaborated with some of the film industry's top directors, appearing in David Fincher's The Social Network; Martin Scorsese's Silence; and David Robert Mitchell's Under the Silver Lake. He has also won a Golden Globe and a Tony Award. Every year, pop culture enthusiasts flock to the UAE capital for an opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in film and television, along with renowned comic book artists. Previous Middle East Film and Comic Cons have featured Oscar Isaac, Matt Smith, Andy Serkis, Hayley Atwell, Stan Lee and Jason Momoa. This year, a short film competition is taking place, with Dh10,000 worth of cash prizes up for grabs. Cosplayers are also expected to descend on the convention to show off their skills and pay homage to their favourite characters in pop culture. The event offers two types of tickets: standard and VIP. Standard tickets, available for single-day entry, are Dh150 for Friday and Sunday and Dh185 for Saturday. Those looking to attend all three days can purchase a standard pass for Dh395. VIP tickets are sold out.
