Back in 1974, Steven Spielberg's Sugarland Express won Best Screenplay at Festival de Cannes. In 1982 E.T. has its world premiere by the Promenade de la Croisette. This year, almost four decades since his first feature film, Empire's former editor is heading up the Cannes jury.
Calling it an "honour and a privilege", Spielberg also said that "my admiration for the steadfast mission of the festival to champion the international language of movies is second to none. For over six decades, Cannes has served as a platform for extraordinary films to be discovered and introduced to the world for the first time."
The 66th festival will take place on 15-26 May, with Jane Campion serving as the head of the jury for the Cinéfondation and Short Film sections. Spielberg is taking the reins from last year’s jury leader, Nanni Moretti, under whose watchful eyes the Palme d'Or was awarded to Michael Haneke for Amour.