Fifteen Bahraini films will compete against international films at a controversial summer festival in Saudi Arabia, which has drawn criticism from Saudi religious leaders.

A total of 200 films have been submitted to the fourth Jeddah Film Festival.

Hundreds of Islamists had signed a petition against the event in April, arguing that cinemas 'fill people's minds with evil and pollute the purity of their souls', according to the BBC.

Cinema had been banned in Saudi Arabia since the 1970s, but could now be making a comeback after Rotana Studios commenced public screenings in Jeddah and Taif last year.

It organised a similar screening in Riyadh last month.

Opposition to the festival has failed to deter the region's filmmakers from taking part, with 70 entries from Saudi Arabia, 17 from the UAE, seven from Kuwait and one from Oman, and many more from Europe and Asia.

However, not all will make the final cut and reviews are now underway to decide the ones to be shown at the festival.

Organisers at Rowad Media for Media Production and Distribution are expected to announce their decision later this month.

'We have received a very good selection of films and we need to select from them,' said general manager Mamdouh Saleh.

'The selected films will take part in the festival, where they will be screened and will compete for prizes yet to be announced.'

The festival's slogan this year is About Gulf Film Industry, with a view to promoting the region's culture and tradition. However, Saudi religious police will be on hand to ensure the country's strict values are respected.

'Representatives from the religious police visit the festival every year to ensure it follows the rules,' said Saleh.

'Men and women are being separated in the cinema - women are seated in the balcony area, while men are seated below,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service