New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion will preside over the jury of the 67th Cannes Film Festival.
Succeeding last year’s president Steven Spielberg, Campion is the only female director to have won the festival’s Palme d’ Or grand prize for “The Piano” in 1993.
“Since I first went to Cannes with my short films in 1986,” she said in a statement. “I have had the opportunity to see the festival from many sides and my admiration for this Queen of film festivals has only grown larger. At the Cannes Film Festival they manage to combine and celebrate the glamour of the industry, the stars, the parties, the beaches, the business, while rigorously maintaining the festival’s seriousness about the Art and excellence of new world cinema. ”
Cannes director Thierry Fremaux added: “We are immensely proud that Jane Campion has accepted our invitation. She is one of those directors who perfectly embody the idea that you can make films as an artist and yet still appeal to a worldwide public. “
Campion most recently directed the acclaimed miniseries “Top of the Lake,” starring Elisabeth Moss, while her last feature film, “Bright Star,” played in competition at Cannes in 2009.
In addition to Spielberg, other recent names to head the Cannes jury include Robert De Niro, Nanni Moretti and Tim Burton.
“I am truly honored to join with the Cannes Film Festival as President of the in Competition features for 2014,” Campion said. “In fact I can’t wait.”
The 67th Cannes Film Festival takes place May 14-25 in France.
