JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has awarded its SR50,000 ($13,333) Ithra Film Fund Development Award to “Green Corpse” by Saudi filmmaker Khaled Zidan.
The work was selected at the Red Sea International Film Festival from Saudi films participating in the Red Sea Film Souk, which supports the development of feature films rooted in local experiences and perspectives.
Inspired by true events in Jazan in 2017, “Green Corpse” follows 18-year-old Malek, a promising sprinter whose personal ambitions conflict with family pressures, his father’s involvement in qat smuggling, and a multi-generational family curse.
Ithra maintained a strong presence at the Red Sea Film Souk throughout the festival. (Suppplied)
The film offers a grounded and emotionally resonant portrayal of life in southern Saudi Arabia.
Zidan is among the Kingdom’s emerging filmmakers and he has previously gained recognition for his award-winning short films, including “Mera, Mera, Mera” and “Othman.”
The project is produced by Bakr Alduhaim, founder of Vues Consultancy and Film Production, known for supporting the international reach of Saudi films.
FASTFACTS
• Inspired by true events in Jazan in 2017, ‘Green Corpse’ follows 18-year-old Malek, a promising sprinter whose personal ambitions conflict with family pressures.
• The film offers a grounded and emotionally resonant portrayal of life in southern Saudi Arabia.
• Feras Almusharrie, head of the Ithra Film Fund, said the project stood out for its storytelling and authenticity.
Feras Almusharrie, head of the Ithra Film Fund, said the project stood out for its storytelling and authenticity.
He said: “At Ithra, we are proud to support the growth of Saudi cinema by creating development and production opportunities for emerging talent. ‘Green Corpse’ distinguished itself through its compelling narrative, its honest exploration of family responsibility and personal ambition, and its vivid sense of place.”
The winner was selected by a three-member jury comprising director and producer Amjad Abu Alala, filmmaker and producer Sara Balghonaim, and screenwriter Mahmoud Ezzat.
Ithra maintained a strong presence at the Red Sea Film Souk, with a public booth engaging industry professionals.
It participated in festival programming through filmmaker consultations, industry discussions, and a Meet the Saudi Funders session, in which Almusharrie outlined Ithra’s development models and talent pathways. He also led a discussion on the documentary “Anti-Cinema” with director Ali Saeed, following the film’s Jury Award win at the Cairo International Film Festival.
Since launching the Ithra Film Fund in 2018, the center has supported 37 films that have screened at more than 100 international festivals and received over 15 regional and global awards, underscoring Ithra’s role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry.
