- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday March 12 2003 00.56 GMT
Emir Kusturica ... 'I have given myself a mission to put aesthetics and art at the heart of the show.'
Acclaimed Yugoslav director Emir Kusturica has been chosen to head the short film and Cinéfondation jury at this year's Cannes film festival.
Kusturica's appointment follows the announcement of French director, Patrice Chereau, as president of the main jury.
The Cinéfondation official selection aims to spotlight films under 60 minutes from film schools, or first films or animated shorts by promising new talents - around 20 shorts screen each year.
As well as awarding the festival's Cinéfondation prize, Kusturica - who has twice won the Palme D'Or, with 1985's When Father Was Away On Business and Underground a decade later - is to present the short film prize during the festival closing ceremony on May 25.
