Saudi Arabia Launches Golden Pen Award for Novels
In a groundbreaking move, Saudi Arabia has introduced a prestigious award for fiction writing, offering a total prize pool of $690,000. The winners of this esteemed award will not only receive cash prizes but also have the opportunity to see their works adapted into film.
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, unveiled the Golden Pen Award for Novels on Saturday, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on Arab novelists and the regional film industry.
The competition is open to original works in Arabic, making it inclusive for all nationalities and age groups.
In an announcement on social media platform X, Alalshikh revealed that the first and second-place winners will be granted $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, with their novels being brought to life on the big screen by the GEA.
The third-place winner will walk away with $30,000 in prize money.
Furthermore, the Novel Tracks Awards will recognize outstanding works in genres such as romance, thriller, mystery, comedy, action, fantasy, investigative, horror, and historical fiction, with each winning author receiving $25,000.
There will also be prizes for the Best Screenplay Adapted from a Literary Work, with $100,000 for first place, $50,000 for second, and $30,000 for third. The Best Translated Novel Award will offer $100,000, and the Audience Award, decided through an electronic voting platform, will grant $30,000.
Alalshikh outlined that the judging panel will comprise three novelists, three screenwriters, and three producers from the Arab world, supported by an auxiliary committee for the initial screening phase.
The winners of the competition will be announced at a grand awards ceremony that will be broadcast on television and various platforms, showcasing the talent and creativity of the region’s literary and film industries.