Rossellini to lead Berlin film festival jury

Celebrated actress and filmmaker Isabella Rosselliniwill preside over the jury for the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival, set to unspool in February.

Organizers of the venerable festival announced her appointment on Monday.

Festival's director Dieter Kosslick praised the Italian-American Rossellini as a "multifaceted, creative film artist with extensive experience in European, American and international cinema."

Rossellini's credits range from starring in films such as Fearless, Wild at Heart,Blue Velvet and The Saddest Music in the World to making her own, such as My Dad is 100 Years Old and Green Porno.

She will head the panel, whose other members have yet to be named, that will decide the winner of the festival's top prizes, including the prestigious Golden Bear. Recent jury presidents have included filmmaker Werner Herzog,actress Tilda Swinton and Greek filmmaker Constantin Costa-Gavras.

The 2011 editionwill mark the 61st edition of the film extravaganza, which helpsstar the festival season.

The Berlin International Film Festival runs Feb. 10-20.