It was announced earlier this week that director Jia Zhangke will be joining the jury of the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in determining this year's winners.

Jia will be flanked by some famous names such as actor and director Gael García Bernal, director Sofia Coppola, and actor Willem Dafoe. New Zealand film-maker Jane Campion will head the jury. She is the only female director to have won the festival's top prize, the prestigious Palme d'Or, which she took home in 1986 for her short film Peel.

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44-year-old Jia Zhangke is well-known for his own works Still Life (2006), A Touch of Sin (2013), and The World (2004). He is also no stranger to Cannes festival awards having won the best screenplay prize at last year's event for his film A Touch of Sin.

Jia and will join seven other jury members in judging up-and-coming movies out of which eighteen films will be vying for the top prize, the Palme d'Or.

The Cannes festival is Europe's largest film festival and one of the most renowned film gatherings in the world. This year, the Cannes International Film Festival will run from May 14 to 25 and will showcase new films and documentaries from around the globe.

Cannes will also be host to some of the most prestigious actors, directors, and film professionals as they flock to France from around the world to take part in previews, competitions, and other film-related events.