Tourism

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Informa have officially extended their partnership to host the Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) in Abu Dhabi through 2027, following a record-breaking 13th edition held earlier this month at ADNEC Centre.

The event, which ran from 18–20 April, attracted over 38,000 fans, continuing MEFCC’s rise as the region’s largest pop culture event. Since relocating from Dubai in 2022, MEFCC has consistently expanded in scope and popularity, cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for global entertainment experiences.

The 2025 edition featured appearances by stars such as Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man), Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things), Emily Rudd (One Piece), and Hideo Ishikawa (Naruto). More than 400 international brands took part, and the Gaming Arena, hosted in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming, offered a variety of tournaments, demos, and challenges across PC, console, and mobile platforms.

H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the event's cultural and economic value:

“The continued success of MEFCC in Abu Dhabi reiterates our commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape. This partnership extension with Informa further solidifies Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for entertainment and cultural experiences.”

MEFCC has become a premier destination for fans of film, television, anime, gaming, and comics. Signature attractions include the Artist Alley, Gaming Zone, Collectors Gallery, and Japanese Village. The event has previously hosted iconic figures such as David Harbour, Hayden Christensen, Matt Smith, and Iñaki Godoy, along with voice actors from Transformers, Dragon Ball Z, and The Last of Us.

Shabnam Rawal, Managing Director at Informa, highlighted the strategic importance of the ongoing collaboration:

“It’s an absolute privilege to work in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi. Their vision and support have helped elevate MEFCC into one of the region’s most iconic and anticipated pop culture events.”

Looking forward, MEFCC aims to draw over 50,000 attendees during its event weekends, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million visitors annually and aims to grow the sector’s GDP contribution to AED 90 billion by the end of the decade.

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