RIYADH — The Venice International Film Festival announced on Thursday the selection of Saudi film "The Perfect Candidate" directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour to compete with 14 other international films for the Golden Lion prize.

The Golden Lion plum is one of the industry's most prestigious and distinguished awards. Al-Mansour’s film will vie with others during the next edition of the festival, due to take place during Aug. to Sept. 9.

The Perfect Candidate is the first Saudi film to feature in the official competition of the Venice Film Festival, where Al-Mansour will be competing with international directors such as Canadian Atom Egoyan, Roy Andersson from Sweden, and Hirokazu Kore-eda from Japan.

The film’s story focuses on a young Saudi female who runs for municipal elections for her own personal reasons.

Al-Mansour has previously participated in the world's most prestigious cinema platform in 2012 with the film "Oujda" competing for Venice Horizons Award, winning three important prizes.

In addition to Al-Mansour, Shahad Ameen, another Saudi female filmmaker, is also participating with her film "Eye & Mermaid", which will be screened in the International Critics Week at the Venice Film Festival.

The film tells the story of a girl facing and overcoming myths from the village where she lives. — SPA