RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) launched a short film contest on Monday to encourage dialogue on pressing issues facing the country.

The contest is the organization’s first program. “The competition aims to encourage young people and activists to interact on topics that promote national unity in Saudi society, through social networks. This includes, among other issues, the need for tolerance and coexistence,” said Fahd Al-Sultan, KACND deputy secretary-general.

He said KACND, through such competitions, seeks to involve young people in efforts to combat extremism. He urged young filmmakers to enter the contest. Video entries must be between 30 and 300 seconds (five minutes) maximum. It must be original and produced for the competition. The video should be uploaded onto YouTube.

Winners will receive SR150,000 in cash prizes as follows. There will be SR50,000 for first place, SR40,000 for second, SR30,000 for third, SR20,000 for fourth, and SR10,000 for fifth. There will be special prizes for participants who do not make the top five. The closing date is Nov. 2.