Following three days of mayhem, with many a Blam! Boff! and Kerpow!, the 2015 Middle East Film and Comic Convention drew to a close on Saturday, April 11 after what was almost certainly the most successful, and definitely the best-attended event to date.
Exact visitor numbers were still unavailable, although estimates suggest more than 30,000 during the three-day festival of films, comics and all-round geekery.
Co-organiser Arafat Ali Khan says: “I still really don’t know where all these people come from – it’s insane. But we’ve already met our targets, so anything else is a bonus.”
Considering this year’s event had expanded into an extra hall at Dubai World Trade Centre’s after last year’s convention attracted about 22,000 eager film and comic fans, not to mention in addition to the well-attended and expanded outdoor stage and food and drink area, that’s quite an achievement.
The celebrity guest list this year was undoubtedly the strongest to date, from Star Trek legend William Shatner to X-Files star Gillian Anderson and Marvel's Agent Carter, Hayly Atwell and many, many more.
The convention could even be credited with challenging stereotypes about the region. We heard from more than one global celebrity that they were a little unsure of what to expect from a convention in the Middle East, only for their jaws to drop on walking onto the stage and being greeted by hordes of screaming fans dressed as their favourite characters.
This was Dubai, though, so things were still a little different at this comic con compared with more-established cousins such as those in San Diego and New York.
Almost every A-lister we spoke to or watched on stage seemed amazed that the audience in the Reel Cinema Lounge, which hosted the panels and question-and-answer session – was sitting in comfy leather seats. Gillian Anderson said: “I think this is the first Comic Con I’ve ever appeared at where the audience aren’t on folding plastic chairs.”
The final day carried on in the same manner as the template that had been set during the previous two days. Somehow, those who had managed to brave day one and two's 30-plus degree heat in a Chewbacca outfit, or dressed as a winterland lord from Game of Thrones, were still there in full costumes, presumably fighting dehydration by now.
Perhaps one of the most touching things we saw on the final day was the popularity of the Superhope stand. Superhope is a charity that aims to assist children with cancer all over the world, in part by helping them to develop their imaginations by creating their own superhero, then dressing them up for a photo shoot. Their stand had wisely employed a DJ pumping out hip-hop and trap, which attracted a huge crowd of dancing furry animals and superheroes, as well as plenty of onlookers who we hope took it on themselves to learn more about the charity (visit www.super-hope.org for more information) while they watched the bizarre scene unfold.
In other fundraising news, Yasser Alizera, the artist on teh new Arab superhero comic Wayl sold several original pages of art and did indeed finish his cover, which we reported on last week, but not in time to sell it at the event which is good news for collectors as you can still buy it by getting in touch through Facebook (www.facebook.com/Wayl.Comic).
There’s no question this year’s event was a success, and I can’t wait to see what new heights the organisers reach next year.
In sci-fi terms, I'm not sure how you top William Shatner headlining your bill. Perhaps Harrison Ford, with his triple-whammy attraction of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner.
Then again, with a new Star Wars (that you may have heard about) due in December, not to mention Avengers: Age of Ultron later this month, a whole new crop of A-listers may be about to be available to the event's booking team next year.
Bring them on.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
General Classification
1. Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
2. Gaia Realini (ITA) Trek-Segafredo 7 secs
3. Silvia Persico (ITA) UAE Team ADQ 1 min 18 secs
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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Power: 626bhp
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The specs: 2024 Panamera
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
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Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
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The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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RESULTS
3.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 – Group 1 (PA) $75,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Jugurtha De Monlau, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
4.05pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
4.40pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Discovery Island, James Doyle, Bhupat Seemar
5.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Al Dasim, Mickael Barzalona, George Boughey
5.50pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Go Soldier Go, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
6.25pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 – Group 1 (TB) $450,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.10pm: Ras Al Khor – Conditions (TB) $300,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Al Suhail, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $350,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Charlie Appleby
8.20pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Sound Money, Mickael Barzalona, Bhupat Seemar
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Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
Four stars
The years Ramadan fell in May
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
The biog
Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus
Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India
Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes
Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island
57 Seconds
Director: Rusty Cundieff
Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Morgan Freeman, Greg Germann, Lovie Simone
Rating: 2/5
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Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
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Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
The Last White Man
Author: Mohsin Hamid
192 pages
Published by: Hamish Hamilton (UK), Riverhead Books (US)
Release date: out now in the US, August 11 (UK)
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
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)