Jane Campion to lead Cannes short jury

The New Zealand-born director won the short film Palme d’or in Cannes for Peel in 1986 and also won the Palme d’Or in 1993 for The Piano. Her latest film, Bright Star, played in Cannes Competition in 2009.

Gilles Jacob, president of the Festival de Cannes and the Cinéfondation, declared: “Jane is a child of Cannes. I know this as it was I who selected her first three short films for the Festival, because I liked her style and consistency. Naively perverse young girls, teens closed in around their solitude, and women mulling over desires and regrets: Jane’s is a passionate universe that she firmly holds in check as she draws these intricate group portraits. I am delighted that the love story between Lady Jane and the Festival continues today as she takes on the role of president.”

The Cinéfondation and Short Film jury will be comprised of five figures from the worlds of film and literature and they choose their three prize winners from among the Cinéfondation’s selection of film school entrants. The jury also chooses the winner of the short film Palme d’or, which is presented during the closing ceremony of the Festival (May 26).

Campion’s new TV project Top of the Lake recently screened at Sundance.