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