CULT Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar has been named chairman of the judges' panel at the forthcoming Cannes Festival, now in its 70th year.
The prolific movie-maker, from Castilla-La Mancha, says he is 'grateful, honoured and a little overwhelmed' at being chosen, and that he is 'conscious of the responsibility involved'.
Almodóvar, whose often-controversial post-censorship films have helped launch the careers of some of Spain's most international performing artists, including Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, was a member of the Cannes jury in 1992, when its chairman was the ubiquitous French actor Gérard Dépardieu.
The Cannes Film Festival organisers, including its chairman Pierre Lescure and general manager Thierry Frémaux, call the prolific scriptwriter a 'glowing icon of Spanish cinema' and 'catalyst for international fame'.
“I hope I'm up to the job,” admits the off-the-wall director.
“All I can say is that I'll throw myself into the task, body and soul, since it is both a privilege and a pleasure.”
Almodóvar has yet to win a Golden Palm (Palme d'Or) at Cannes, but he has been nominated five times and his name appeared on the poster at the 60th event in 2007.
Cannes Film Festival will take place between May 17 and 28 this year.
