The winning project was selected by a distinguished three-member jury of regional and international film professionals for its artistic strength and authentic Saudi storytelling.
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has awarded Green Corpse, directed by Khalid Zidan, the SAR50,000 ($13329.05) Ithra Film Fund Development Award at the closing ceremony of the Red Sea Film Souk Production Market, held as part of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah.
The award was presented on December 10 and recognises outstanding Saudi feature-film projects in development that reflect local stories and perspectives. Green Corpse was selected from the official Saudi projects showcased at the Red Sea Souk Production Market. Inspired by real events in Jazan in 2017, the film follows Malek, a young sprinter whose athletic ambitions clash with family obligations and an unseen criminal underworld. The jury highlighted the project’s narrative strength, emotional depth and distinctive portrayal of life in southern Saudi Arabia.
The winning film was chosen by a three-member jury comprising Sudanese director and producer Amjad Abu Alala, who served as jury head, alongside filmmaker and producer Sara Balghonaim and screenwriter Mahmoud Ezzat.
Ithra maintained an active presence throughout the festival, which ran from December 4 to 13, hosting a public booth at the Souk Production Market that served as a hub for engagement and exchange with regional and international film professionals. Beyond the award, Ithra participated in several industry-focused activities, including filmmaker consultations, panel discussions and the “Meet the Saudi Funders” session, where Feras Almusharrie outlined Ithra’s development frameworks and talent support pathways.
Feras Almusharrie, Head of the Ithra Film Fund, said: “At Ithra, we are proud to support the growth of Saudi cinema by creating development and production opportunities for emerging talent. Green Corpse stood out for its compelling narrative, its grounded portrayal of life in Jazan and its honest exploration of family responsibility and personal ambition. This year’s award reflects the strength of creative ambition driving Saudi filmmakers today. It is an honor to recognise a filmmaker whose vision contributes to the dynamic storytelling shaping the Kingdom’s film industry.”
In addition to supporting filmmakers through the Ithra Film Fund, Ithra is also a partner and annual host of the Saudi Film Festival, which serves as a platform for Saudi talent to learn, network and showcase their work. Since 2018, Ithra has produced 37 films that have screened at more than 100 international festivals and collectively won over 15 regional and global awards.
As part of its wider festival engagement, Almusharrie also led a discussion on the documentary Anti-Cinema with its director Ali Saeed, following the film’s recent Jury Award win at the Cairo International Film Festival, further underscoring Ithra’s role in supporting diverse voices and storytelling within the Kingdom’s expanding film ecosystem.
