Movies

Gondry heads Cinéfondation, shorts jury

Published Monday, Feb 21 2011, 16:43 GMT | By Mayer Nissim

Michel Gondry has been named the head of the short film and Cinéfondation jury of the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

The Green Hornet director will award the three Cinéfondation prizes on Friday, May 20, in addition to the Palme d'Or for the best short film at the closing ceremony on Sunday, May 22.

"With his seven feature films, several shorts and 70-odd music videos, Michel Gondry, who is also a musician, has created an incredibly original body of work coloured with dreamscape qualities and Utopian ideals," organisers said.

"A master craftsman, a modern day Méliès, he is a cinemagician who constantly reinvents the technical effects and enchantments of the medium of film."

The Cinéfondation was founded in 1998 as a means of supporting and inspiring the next generation of international filmmakers.

Every year it selects 15-20 short and medium-length films which form part of the official selection. The best three are also recognised at an official ceremony.

Robert De Niro has already been announced as the head of the main jury at this year's Cannes.