Suit up heroes (and villains)! Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) has announced its highly anticipated return to Abu Dhabi from April 18-20, 2025, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Star Wars legend Ian McDiarmid was the first confirmed celebrity guest at the region’s biggest celebration of pop culture.
Channeling the dark side of the force across every Star Wars trilogy, McDiarmid’s presence sets the stage for what promises to be the most spectacular MEFCC yet. As tens of thousands of fans prepare to converge in Abu Dhabi, this year’s event is shaping up to be a mind-bending fusion of film, TV, sci-fi, anime, manga, gaming, comics, collectibles, and everything else that ignites the imagination. Building on a stupendous 13-year legacy, MEFCC is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
Loy Pinheiro, Show Director of MEFCC said: “MEFCC 2025 is set to be our most diverse and engaging event yet. From casual fans to devoted collectors, we’ve created an experience that celebrates every aspect of pop culture with something for everyone.”
McDiarmid, renowned for his iconic portrayal of Emperor Sheev Palpatine aka Darth Sidious across all three Star Wars trilogies, will join the spectacular event during its Star Wars weekend celebration. As the only actor to portray his character throughout the entire saga, McDiarmid’s appearance is sure to send a galactic ripple through fans of the franchise in the region.
Anime fans are in for a treat with an exciting first announcement of Japan’s leading voice actor, Hideo Ishikawa. He is best known as the voice of Itachi Uchiha from Naruto. Ishikawa will bring excitement to fans across the Middle East with his variety of characters not just from Naruto but across genres including Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Samurai Warriors, Kyo-ya Onizuka in Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero, Ray Penber and Hideki Ide in Death Note, and Squall Leonhart, Auron and Cait Sith in the Final Fantasy series.
Although the Ultimate VIP tickets to MEFCC sold out in record time, limited quantities of VIP tickets are still up for grabs, offering exclusive experiences for MEFCC enthusiasts along with standard 1 Day and 3 Day passes.
An expansive lineup of attractions caters to both casual attendees and avid fans. MEFCC will feature cosplayers putting their best suit forward, gamers and the community in an epic friendly face-off, and collectors in a hunt for treasures in a sprawling marketplace of pop culture delights.
Visitors can enjoy family time at the Kids Zone, experience live entertainment and competitions at the outdoor Festival Plaza, or unwind in the dedicated Bookworm Lounge with fantasy, sci-fi, and graphic novel fans (kids are welcome too!). The Mainstage will be buzzing with free access to celebrity talks, community panels, and quizzes.
Hardcore fans can geek out over the Gaming Arena, marvel at the work of world-renowned artists at the Comic Creators Club, meet and greet celebrities at Meet the Stars, or wander through the Collectors Gallery to discover the most exclusive memorabilia and collectibles. The Japanese Village showcases all things anime and manga with an experiential touch of culture.
Don’t miss out— grab your friends and family and join the community at the region’s largest pop culture festival #MEFCC2025!
Ticket Information
Standard Tickets: 1-Day Pass Friday – AED 150; 1-Day Pass Saturday – AED 185; 1 Day Pass Sunday – AED 150; 3-Day Pass – AED 395
VIP Tickets: Ultimate VIP – AED 5600 (SOLD OUT); Super VIP – AED 2600; VIP – AED 1000
To find out more about MEFCC and to purchase tickets now, visit www.mefcc.com and follow @mefcc to stay connected.
