Spanish film director Almodovar to head Cannes jury

By Murat Unlu

PARIS

Spain’s Oscar-winning film director Pedro Almodovar will be jury president of the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

“The flamboyant icon of Spanish cinema and world famous director and screenwriter Pedro Almodovar is to be the next president of the jury for the Festival International du Film e Cannes,” organizers announced in a statement.

“I am grateful, honored and a bit overwhelmed. I am aware of the responsibility that entails being the president of the jury and I hope to be up to the job.

“I can only tell that I’ll devote myself body and soul to this task, that it is both a privilege and a pleasure,” Almodovar said, according to the statement.

The 67-year-old director’s films have competed in Cannes before, including his 2006 Oscar-winning movie, All About My Mother plus Volver, Broken Embraces, The Skin I live In and Julieta.

The festival will take place between May 17 and 28. Jury members are expected to be announced in April.