MUMBAI: Italian film producer, director, screenwriter and actor Nanni Moretti has been appointed President of the Jury of the 65th Cannes Film Festival. He follows Robert De Niro who headed the jury last year.

Accepting the invitation, Moretti is reported to have said, "This is a real joy, an honour and a tremendous responsibility to preside over the jury of the most prestigious festival of cinematography in the world, a festival that is held in a country where film has always been treated with interest and respect.

As a director, I was always very moved when my films were presented at the Festival de Cannes. I also have very happy memories of my experience as a jury member during the fiftieth anniversary season, and of the attentiveness and passion that went into the jury’s viewing and discussion of all the films.

As a spectator, fortunately I still have the same curiosity that I had in my youth and so it is a great privilege for me to embark on this voyage into the world of contemporary international film."

Incidentally. Moretti has so far presented six films at the Cannes fest including Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope) last year.

The festival runs from May 16 to 27.