Steven Spielberg named as president of Cannes Film Festival jury

Director Steven Spielberg has been named as president of the jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The 66th Cannes Film Festival takes place May 15-26.

"My admiration for the steadfast mission of the festival to champion the international language of movies is second to none," Spielberg said in a statement. "The most prestigious of its kind, the festival has always established the motion picture as a cross cultural and generational medium."

Two of Spielberg’s films, ET (1882) and Sugarland Express (1974), premiered at the Cannes festival. His film The Color Purple was also shown at Cannes.

Speilberg is taking over from current president Nanni Moretti, an Italian film director.