ar- العربية In a landmark move to celebrate and promote Arabic literature, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh, inaugurated the website for the prestigious “Golden Pen Award for Most Influential Literature” during a ceremony held in Riyadh. This award, a first from the GEA, aims to transform outstanding literary works into cinematic productions, reflecting the growing synergy between literature and film in the Arab world.
أعمالك الأدبية نحولها لأعمال سينمائية عالمية 🖋️🏆
انطلاق #جائزة_القلم_الذهبي للأدب الأكثر تأثيرا بجوائز توصل قيمتها 740 ألف دولار وأيضا يتم تحويل 4 أعمال أدبية لأعمال سينمائية ضخمة لأصحاب المراكز الأولى❤️🇸🇦تعرّف أكثر 👇https://t.co/spmyPDCmKQ pic.twitter.com/fgHMfh18z9
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) September 9, 2024
Alalshikh announced that the Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, will sponsor the award under a significant agreement between the GEA and the Ministry of Culture. “The Golden Pen Award is part of our broader effort to create a repository of Arabic novels, screenplays, and related content, in line with the large-scale productions currently underway in the Kingdom and beyond,” said Alalshikh.
The Golden Pen Forum, another key component of this initiative, will serve as a gathering space for writers across the Arab world, offering free membership and specific selection criteria to ensure it remains a vibrant cultural hub throughout the year.
Chairman of the Golden Pen Award, Dr. Saad Al-Bazei, outlined the award’s key phases during a press conference. Submissions for literary works will open on September 15 through the official website, with entries accepted until September 30. A longlist of nominees will be announced on November 30, followed by the shortlist on December 30. Winners will be revealed in a grand ceremony scheduled for February 2025, which will be attended by leading writers, intellectuals, filmmakers, and celebrities.
The award offers six categories, including major awards for novels and screenplays, Best Translated Novel, Best Arab Publisher, and the People’s Choice Award. The total prize pool stands at an impressive $740,000. Notably, first-place winners in the novel and screenplay categories will receive $100,000 and a film production deal, while second and third-place winners will receive $50,000 and $30,000 respectively, along with film production opportunities.
The Golden Pen Award also features eight genre-specific novel prizes, each worth $25,000, recognizing works in categories such as Thriller, Mystery and Crime, Romance, Fantasy, Comedy, Historical, Horror, and Realistic Novels. The Best Translated Novel will win $100,000, while the Best Arab Publisher will receive $50,000. The People’s Choice Award, valued at $30,000, will be determined through a public vote on the award’s website.
With its focus on recognizing literary excellence and its potential for cinematic adaptation, the Golden Pen Award is set to become a significant cultural event in the Arab world. As submissions open in September, writers from across the region will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and contribute to the rich literary heritage of the Arab world.
So, if you think you have what it takes, check it out to see submission details here.