Sean Penn Chosen to Be Cannes' Head Jury

January 03, 2008 06:59:19 GMT

Having a successful career as both actor and director, the 'Mystic River' star is trusted by the Cannes Film Festivals' organizers as their jury president.

Photo credit: Chris Hatcher/PR Photos

Having a great year in 2007 because his directorial film "Into the Wild" got brave reviews, Sean Penn marches on the new year with even better prospect as he is chosen to be the jury president of the 2008 Cannes film festivals. On Thursday, January 3, the organizers of the event revealed the news through a statement.

Regarding him being honored with the jury job, the Oscar winning actor said, "The Cannes Film Festival has long been the epicentre in the discovery of new waves of filmmakers. I very much look forward to participating." Meanwhile, to AFP, the Cannes festival's artistic director Thierry Fremaux said, "Penn represents the independent American cinema as well as a vision of America which we like."

The world's leading movie festival will kick off on the French Riviera on May 14 and wrap up on May 25. In the end of the film festival, the best film will be awarded by the jury with the Palme d'Or prize.

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