Middle East Film and Comic Con 2023 opening day - in pictures

Middle East Film and Comic Con 2023 is under way in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
Middle East Film and Comic Con 2023 is under way in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
The event runs for three days and celebrates all things pop culture
The event runs for three days and celebrates all things pop culture
Spider-Man cosplay
Spider-Man cosplay
Friends cosplay as zombies
Friends cosplay as zombies
Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, at MEFCC
Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, at MEFCC
Friends Maryam, Samia and Edith cosplay as Power, Angel and Childe from Genshin Impact
Friends Maryam, Samia and Edith cosplay as Power, Angel and Childe from Genshin Impact
Saig Ali at the Dragonball-Z series display
Saig Ali at the Dragonball-Z series display
A cosplayer
A cosplayer
Friends Falah, Sultan, Hamdan and Zayed around the shopping stalls
Friends Falah, Sultan, Hamdan and Zayed around the shopping stalls
Swords were a popular choice for shoppers
Swords were a popular choice for shoppers
Artworks created by Shaheen Alhadad from Crimson Star
Artworks created by Shaheen Alhadad from Crimson Star
Artist Soul of Crimson Star at Mefcc
Artist Soul of Crimson Star at Mefcc
Artist Shaheen Alhadad of Crimson Star
Artist Shaheen Alhadad of Crimson Star
The shopping and gaming area
The shopping and gaming area
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi have a stand at MEFCC with characters Tom and Jerry making an appearance
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi have a stand at MEFCC with characters Tom and Jerry making an appearance
Ghost gamer cosplay
Ghost gamer cosplay
Anthony Daniels, the English actor best known for playing C-3PO in the Star Wars films, at the event
Anthony Daniels, the English actor best known for playing C-3PO in the Star Wars films, at the event
Cartoon artist Hessa Butaweel at her stand in the Artist Alley
Cartoon artist Hessa Butaweel at her stand in the Artist Alley
Ruqaya Alsalem as a Pink Power Ranger with The Joker
Ruqaya Alsalem as a Pink Power Ranger with The Joker
Kaliste Rodi as Princess Leia, left, and Eva Sereda, right, as a Stormtrooper from Star Wars
Kaliste Rodi as Princess Leia, left, and Eva Sereda, right, as a Stormtrooper from Star Wars
Wafa Obeid as Maleficent
Wafa Obeid as Maleficent
Harley Quinn cosplayer
Harley Quinn cosplayer
Gavin Mansour and Merve Arslan with limited-edition Funko figures
Gavin Mansour and Merve Arslan with limited-edition Funko figures
Emirati artist Abdulla Aljneibi
Emirati artist Abdulla Aljneibi
Limited-edition Funko dolls on sale
Limited-edition Funko dolls on sale
Stormtrooper cosplayers
Stormtrooper cosplayers
Tony Santiago with some of his artwork
Tony Santiago with some of his artwork
Diana, left, dressed as Arlecchino and Nona, right, as Columbina. Both are characters from Genshin Impact
Diana, left, dressed as Arlecchino and Nona, right, as Columbina. Both are characters from Genshin Impact
Gaming is popular at MEFCC
Gaming is popular at MEFCC
Jalil Bekkairov, left, as Obi Wan Kenobi and Assal Bekkairova, right, as a Jedi
Jalil Bekkairov, left, as Obi Wan Kenobi and Assal Bekkairova, right, as a Jedi
Emirati artists Mahra and Khulood Khalil
Emirati artists Mahra and Khulood Khalil
Funko collector Emad Al Zankawi
Funko collector Emad Al Zankawi
Alia Almansouri with Harley Quinn
Alia Almansouri with Harley Quinn