The jury of the 34th Alexandria Mediterranean film festival begins film selection in preparation for the upcoming edition that runs between 3 and 9 October. The festival has so far announced receiving 250 films for its different competitive sections. In addition to the film competition, the festival will also have a scriptwriting competition under the name of the late writer Mamdouh El-Leithy. Critic Mervat Omar, the festival's artistic director, along with the jury for both competitions; the feature length films and the short films competitions, have met to specify the criteria for the films' selection. The jury for the feature films' competition is headed by writer Samy El-Siwi, and includes six members; Ashraf Mohamed; scriptwriter Sameh Ser El-Khetm; critic Adel Saad; journalist Khaled Eissa; and critic Nahed Salah, who is also the festival's financial manager, Mohamed Youssef the secretary general and Sayed Mahmoud the media director. The short films competition jury is headed by film director Essam Heshmat, with 8 members; critics Diaa Hosny, Tahany El-Sawaby, Elham Seif El-Din, Faiza Hendawy, Amal Mamdooh, Doaa Helmy; scriptwriter Mennatallah Ebeid; and director Omneya Wagih. The annual festival is organised by the Egyptian Association for Film Writers and Critics, under the auspices of the ministries of culture, information and tourism. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture