Middle East Film & Comic Con is huge, so make the most of it with the help of our handy guide, which will ensure that you get to see everything you want to and don’t miss any of the big guests and events.
The basics
We'll get the obvious stuff out of the way first. First of all, buy tickets in advance (visit www.mefcc.com for details). The event is hugely popular, and the queues to get in on the day were daunting last year.
Take some sensible shoes – you will be doing a lot of walking if you want to see everything and, while those stilettos that come with your Catwoman outfit might seem a good idea at 10am, they may feel less so by the time night falls.
Take a bag, too. You might not plan on buying anything, but the vast array of comics, memorabilia and novelties on display can be strangely alluring.
If you want to keep in touch with friends during the event, make sure you have plenty of battery life in your phone. If you’re in for a long day, take a spare battery or charger, too – it’s easy to get separated from friends.
The celebrity guests
The meet-and-greets, signing sessions and photoshoots with celebrity guests are always one of the most popular strands and the organisers have pulled out all the stops to get some incredible big-name guests this year.
The headliner is no less than the ultimate Comic Con fantasy, Captain James T Kirk himself, William Shatner.
The supporting cast is no less impressive. Fan boys will be drooling at the prospect of meeting Gillian Anderson, star of the soon-to-relaunched X-Files.
Just announced this week, Marvel-movie star Hayley Atwell will be popping in. She starred as Peggy Carter in both Captain America movies and in the TV spin-off, Agent Carter, which was broadcast this year. She will also reprise the role in Avengers: Age of Ultron at the end of this month.
Sam Jones, star of Flash Gordon and, more recently, Ted, will be in town too, alongside the former Baywatch star Angelica Bridges, Arrow's Kelly Hu, and Clive Standen, best known for playing the warrior Rollo in the historical action-drama Vikings.
Game of Thrones fans can take part in a sword-fighting workshop with Miltos Yerolemou, better known as the shows's Syrio Forel, who taught Arya Stark how to wield a blade.
Believe us, that is only scratching the surface, so check the website for an up-to-date list as well as the timings of events with the stars.
Mangatastic!
MEFCC will this year be bringing a trio of legendary figures from the anime and manga industries to the Middle East.
The chief executives of major animation production studio Production I.G, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, and of the CGI-focused studio Sanzigen and Super Ultra Pictures, Hiroaki Matsuura, will be making their inaugural visit to the region to share their experience with fans.
They will be joined by Masami Suda, a veteran of the anime world who has worked on animation and character design for shows including Hokuto no Ken and Gatchaman – better known to international fans as Fist of the North Star and Battle of the Planets, respectively.
The outdoor stage
The outdoor stage and adjacent food and beverage area is always a big attraction.
This year, highlights will include Kris Fade broadcasting the Virgin Radio Roadshow in costume, local bands Nikotin and The Boxtones, karaoke and a quiz, celebrity appearances, live Nerf Wars, the ever-popular cosplay competition, and we’re even promised an appearance on stage by some real-life vikings, who will hopefully be taking it easy on the pillaging and plundering front.
Dress to kill
The event’s annual cosplay competition is always hugely popular, with awards in a host of categories, including movies, animation and comics for individuals and groups. The entries can vary wildly from the sublime to the ridiculous, but it’s always good fun to watch. The group section in particular usually features some serious dedication, and it’s always worth checking out what multiple group-contest winners, local cosplay group Order 66, have pulled out of the bag.
The organisers are also bringing in professional international cosplayers Leanna Vamp, Alodia Gosiengfiao and Madeleine “Zhiana” Rose to provide some inspiration. Check out Arts & Life tomorrow for our look at the local cosplay scene.
Movie Club
Reel Cinemas is once again at MEFCC with its Movie Club. Film highlights include the UAE premiere of the cult fan film Batgirl Rises. It's not all about films, though; the Movie Club is also where most of the panels and guest appearances take place. Shatner will be taking the stage at 3pm on Friday, while Anderson is scheduled for 4pm on Saturday, directly followed by Jones – check the full schedule on the website.
Game Zone
The Game Zone is where you'll find the pixelheads at MEFCC. Highlights in the zone this year include a chance to have a go with the very latest technology – the virtual-reality headset Oculus Rift – a playable sneak preview of Mortal Kombat X and the ever-popular commentator competition. There will also, as always, be a host of the latest and best games and consoles for visitors to play on.
It’s not all about video games, though – MEFCC will be celebrating International Tabletop Day on Saturday with a dedicated area where you can have a go at some of the latest board and card games.
Whether bluffing your way past the Sheriff of Nottingham with contraband or trying to work as a team to escape a cursed temple deep in the jungle, you’ll gather around a table to play with old friends or make new ones and be part of this fun, engaging and social hobby.
You'll also have a chance to pilot a classic T65 X-Wing in a battle against the Empire in a giant-scale Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game.
Local guests
There will be plenty of local faces among the Hollywood A-listers, too. From the artist and Cartoon Network Animation Academy graduate Fatima Al Mahairi to Foo Dog creator Mo Abedin, the filmmaker Faisal Hashmi, who will be premiering his short film Sleight, and the face of Dubai One TV, Omar Butti, the event offers one of the year's biggest showcases for local talents in the comic, graphic art and movie sectors.
Business forum
For the first time, this year’s event features a professional industry forum, Access: The Business of Entertainment.
It will bring together leading industry speakers from around the globe to take an inside look at the entertainment, licensing and content-creation business, giving delegates the chance to share, discuss and network.
The business forum, which is developed in association with LIMA, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association, will have discussions on the latest trends in licensing, IP protection and regional retail, an in-depth discussion on gaming trends with international big hitters such as Charles Riotto, president of LIMA; Jeff Gomez, the chief executive of Starlightrunner Entertainment; Donna Bruschi, senior global licensing leader, Sony Pictures; and a host of regional names such as Helen Fielding, head of licensing for East West Licensing.
MEFCC runs from 10am to 9pm (schools and VIP ticket holders only from 10am to 4pm) on Thursday, April 9 and from 12pm to 10pm on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11. Tickets start at Dh100 for a one-day pass. Visit www.mefcc.com
cnewbould@thenational.ae
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Director: Wes Ball
Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allen, Kevin Durand
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
Started: 2019
Founders: Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Daniel Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $2.45 million
Current number of staff: 86
Investment stage: Pre-series B
Investors: Investcorp, Liberty City Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Primal Capital, Wealthwell Ventures, FHS Capital, VN2 Capital, local family offices
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Disturbing facts and figures
51% of parents in the UAE feel like they are failing within the first year of parenthood
57% vs 43% is the number of mothers versus the number of fathers who feel they’re failing
28% of parents believe social media adds to the pressure they feel to be perfect
55% of parents cannot relate to parenting images on social media
67% of parents wish there were more honest representations of parenting on social media
53% of parents admit they put on a brave face rather than being honest due to fear of judgment
Source: YouGov
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ALRAWABI SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Creator: Tima Shomali
Starring: Tara Abboud, Kira Yaghnam, Tara Atalla
Rating: 4/5
The Specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 118hp
Torque: 149Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Price: From Dh61,500
On sale: Now
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Jawab Iteiqal
Director: Mohamed Sammy
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Ayad Nasaar, Mohamed Adel and Sabry Fawaz
2 stars
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
