Tarantino selected to head Venice Film Festival jury

The 67th annual Venice Film Festival announced yesterday, May 6, that American film director Quentin Tarantino has been selected to head the jury at the event, September 1-11.

The acclaimed Oscar, Golden Globe and Palme d'Or winner has directed Inglorious Basterds, the Kill Bill films, Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs. He also writes and produces his films, as well as producing the films of emerging filmmakers.

In the statement, the festival's organizers praised Tarantino as "one of the major creative figures in contemporary cinema" and "perhaps the only American auteur to be adored worldwide like a rock star."

Tarantino, who previously curated retrospectives of Spaghetti Westerns and Italian B-film directors for the festival, will oversee the panel of judges for the Venezia 67, the international competition that awards the Golden Lion trophy and other prizes at the 2010 festival.

Some of the films debuting include Somewhere directed by Sofia Coppola and Miral with Freida Pinto by Julian Schnabel.

The oldest film festival in the world, this year it includes a competition showcasing new trends in cinema.

Last year's jury was helmed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain).

RC