European Films

Director Stephen Frears, who is currently in full awards-season swing for his latest film The Queen which premiered in Venice last September, will be the president of this year's Cannes Film Festival jury. The British director presented his feature film Prick Up Your Ears in comptetion there back in 1987. Frears said in a statement released by the festival that "Of course, it's an honour but it's also a treat, to be able to watch terrific films from all over the world in such heady surroundings. God Save Cannes! (as well as the Queen)". The president of the Cannes Film Festival, Gilles Jacob, added: "I am particularly delighted that Stephen Frears accepted my proposal this year. We thus pay tribute to this great, inspired filmmaker, endowed with freedom of mind and love of making films. The 60th Festival will henceforth take place under a lucky star, that of intelligence, wit and a dash of impertinence". This year's festival runs between May 16-27.

(photo: Stephen Frears on the red carpet at the recent Venice Film Festival for The Queen. Photo by Fabrizio Maltese for european-films.net, (c) 2006. All rights reserved.)