Jane Campion to head Cannes film fest jury

Oscar-winning filmmaker Jane Campion has been named head of the Cannes Film Festival jury for 2014.

Organizers revealed their pick of the New Zealand director, best known for her 1993 romantic drama The Piano, on Tuesday.

Starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill and Anna Paquin, The Piano won an Oscar for best screenplay as well as the crowning achievement at Cannes itself, the Palme d'Or. Campion is the only female director ever to win the festival's top prize.

"I am truly honoured to join with the Cannes Film Festival as president of the in-competition features for 2014," she said in a statement.

"In fact, I can't wait... Since I first went to Cannes with my short films in 1986, I have had the opportunity to see the festival from many sides and my admiration for this queen of film festivals has only grown larger."

Wellington-born, Sydney-based Campion's other films include An Angel at My Table, The Portrait of a Lady, In The Cut and Bright Star. Her most recent projects include the award-winning mystery miniseries Top of the Lake.

Campion follows in the footsteps of American director Steven Spielberg, who presided over a jury that named same-sex love story Blue is the Warmest Color winner of the Palme d'Or in 2013.

The 67th Cannes Film Festival takes place May 14-25.