Golden Pen Awards Ceremony: Honoring Literature and Cinema in Riyadh

On one of Riyadh’s cultural nights, the Saudi capital witnessed an exceptional event represented by the Golden Pen Awards ceremony, which His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh described as an “exceptional launch.”

The ceremony was held to honor the most influential literature in the region, with the attendance of an elite group of writers, authors, and filmmakers, in addition to a number of Arab art stars who shone on the lavender carpet.

A jury of elite writers and filmmakers The Golden Pen Award is an initiative to support Arab novelists and promote the film industry. The award is headed by Saudi critic and author Saeed Al-Bazie. The jury includes an elite group of writers, critics, screenwriters and directors, including: • Novel category: Ahmed Murad, Tamer Ibrahim, Abdo Khal, Saud Al-Sanousi, Badriya Al-Bishr, and Mufrij Al-Majfal. • Criticism category: Tarek El-Shennawy, Hassan El-Nuaimi. • Screenplay category: Salah Al-Jahini, Mariam Naoum, Yasser Al-Madkhali, Sharif Najib. • Filmmakers and producers: Ahmed Badawi, Sadiq Al-Sabah, Adnan Kayyal, Marwan Mohammed, Khairy Beshara, Abdul-Ilah Al-Qurashi, and Mohammed Shaker Khadir.

Exceptional moments on the lavender carpet A large number of stars attended the ceremony, including Ayman Zidan, Ilham Ali, and Qusai Khouli, as they interacted with the event through their accounts on the X platform.

Ayman Zidan, who is used to stealing the spotlight, received a great deal of interaction on social media, especially after his touching speech on stage. The audience described him as “an intellectual and a writer before an actor.”

Qusai Khouli expressed his gratitude for participating in the event, stressing his pride in presenting the Best Fantasy Novel Award, and thanked the Entertainment Authority and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continuous support for literature and art.

Ilham Ali stole the spotlight with her look, and shared her special moments from the party on her account, where she gained the admiration of her large audience.

Golden Pen Awards Winners List First Place Winners in Novel • First place: Abdulrahman Safar - Aghlal Arafa • Second place: Mona Salama - Ajab Hanem Pension • Third place: Youssef Al Sharif - Al Sanadqia • Audience Award (electronic voting): Amir Azab – Burial Permit • Publishing Award: Dar Kayan

Literary Track Awards

• Realistic novel: Mahmoud Abdel-Shakoor - Marjana’s Ghosts • Horror novel: Abdel Rahman Hanfy - Morgue guard • Historical novel: Shatawi Al-Shammari - Tears of Sand • Fantasy novel: Amir Shawqi - Bab Sahra • Romantic novel: Mai Hossam El-Din - Infatuation and a Revolution of Doubt • Mystery and crime novel: Abdul Rahman Ibrahim - And I lived again • A suspenseful and exciting novel: Yahya Safwat - Naout’s Notebook - Thirst • Translated Novel Award: Hesham Fahmy – translation of the novel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Grand Prizes for Screenplay Category • First place: Hossam El Din El Araby - Toronto - Cairo • Second place: Mohammed Al-Saffar - And the Star When It Falls • Third place: Ahmed Othman - Open line

The Golden Pen Awards have proven that it is not just a celebration, but a platform that supports Arab creativity and contributes to enriching the cultural and artistic scene in the region. As the world’s eyes turn to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a leading cultural destination, such awards enhance its position as a center that celebrates thought and creativity in various fields.