Jane Campion to head Cannes Film Festival jury

New Zealand film director, producer and writer Jane Campion is to preside over France's 2014 Cannes Film Festival jury, organizers said Tuesday. The festival is to take place May 14-25. "Since I first went to Cannes with my short films in 1986, I have had the opportunity to see the festival from many sides and my admiration for this queen of film festivals has only grown larger," Campion said in a statement. "At the Cannes Film Festival they manage to combine and celebrate the glamour of the industry, the stars, the parties, the beaches, the business, while rigorously maintaining the festival's seriousness about the art and excellence of new world cinema." "Once upon a time there was an unknown young director from Down Under who was no doubt proud enough that the Festival de Cannes was going to present even one of the three short films she had just finished," festival director Gilles Jacob said. "But they were shot through with such courage and humanity and captured such a unique world that the Festival refused to choose and -- in a masterstroke -- screened all three, marking the advent of a true master. Jane Campion had arrived, and she brought a whole new style with her. That led to 'Sweetie,' 'The Piano' and more recently 'Bright Star' -- that marvelous film, shot through, as ever, with poetry. You'll hardly be surprised that amid such a welter of emotions, I've taken to calling her, 'My Lady Jane.'"