Bahrain’s much-anticipated pop culture event, featuring celebrities from trending TV shows and movies, along with cosplay characters from viral video games and comic books, returns in October with organisers stating it will be ‘bigger and better’ than ever.
Dallah Promotions, the organisers of Bahrain Comic Con (BCC) that annually attracts thousands of fans to the Bahrain International Circuit, is already in talks with several gaming companies and studios to sign up celebrities for the two-day convention on October 6-7.
“Fans should expect something bigger and better at Comic Con this year as we are always trying to improve the event,” promised Dallah Promotions managing partner Salman Bukhari. “We’re also trying to promote local attractions and push the very skilled and talented Bahrainis that we have. We are currently in talks with gaming companies Activision, Call Of Duty, Tencent and Bandai Namco.
“We are trying to do something really big on Esports too as Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa is keenly pushing the scene.”
Mr Bukhari, a Bahrain Federation of Electronic Games member, is also on the key committee of the International Esports Federation (IESF). “BOC’s secretary general Faris Al Kooheji is also assisting in pushing Esports as it is officially in the Olympics now, so we are trying to focus on that,” he added.
The fourth edition will likely boast some major names from the superhero universe, although organisers are remaining tight-lipped about the exact details for contractual reasons and as part of promotional plans to build up the excitement level gradually over the summer and closer to the show dates.
“In terms of the names of celebrities that we are in contact with, the only thing I can tell you is we are in contact with both Marvel Studios and DC Studios, of course,” said Mr Bukhari. “We can’t declare any names at this time as its part of the ‘non-disclosure agreements’ that we have and will be able to share once it’s all been confirmed.”
The organisers have an impressive track record of delivering the stars such as last year’s line-up of Paul Anderson (Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders), Aimee Garcia (Ella in Lucifer and Jamie in Dexter), Clive Standen (Rollo in Vikings), Mason Dye (Jason Carver in Stranger Things), Leilani Shiu (Teeka in Obi-Wan Kenobi) and David Angelo Roman (artist of cult classic comic book, Rick and Morty).
“What I can tell you, is that this year we expect it to be much bigger ... and that all depends on the talent line-up,” teased Mr Bukhair. “Also, if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve the event, we are always ready to hear and take new ideas into consideration.”
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