AceShowbiz -

In anticipation to the 66th edition of Cannes International Film Festival, the event's organizers have picked a notable American filmmaker to preside the jury of the upcoming prestigious movie festival. He is none other than Steven Spielberg.

The festival organizers confirmed the news on late Wednesday night, February 27 that Spielberg had been named the jury president for the French event to take place from May 16 to 26. Spielberg took over the reins from Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti.

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

Spielberg will be joined by Jane Campion, who will head the Cinefoundation and Short Film Jury. The upcoming event will mark Spielberg's reunion with Cannes. His film "Sugarland Express" was screened in competition back in 1974 and won the Best Screenplay award.

The "Jurassic Park" and "Jaws" helmer has been busy this past few years, helming three critically-acclaimed movies in a row. They were "War Horse", "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Lincoln".

His latest film, "Lincoln", bagged the most nomination at this year's Academy Awards. Though it failed to claim the Best Picture and Best Director awards, it brought Daniel Day-Lewis in winning the Oscar for Best Actor, and Rick Carter & Jim Erickson in taking home the Best Production Design award.

In France, the homeland of Cannes Film Festival, "Lincoln" became a massive box office hit and has been seen by more than 1 million people in the country.