Deneuve to head Venice Film Festival jury

Officials say French star will serenity and balance to judging committee

Fabio Polimeni / AP

Catherine Deneuve, 62, starred in "Belle de Jour," which won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion in 1967. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 1992's "Indochine."

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updated 3:03 p.m. ET June 14, 2006

VENICE, Italy - Catherine Deneuve will head the international jury that will award the coveted Golden Lion at this year's Venice Film Festival.

The decision was made during a board meeting of the Venice Biennale, which oversees the film competition.

"We are proud that a personality like Catherine Deneuve will preside over the Venice jury," said a joint statement Wednesday by Davide Croff, president of the Venice Biennale, and festival director Marco Muller.

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Deneuve's charisma and knowledge of film will help other jurors work with serenity and balance, the statement said.

Deneuve, 62, starred in "Belle de Jour," which won the festival's Golden Lion in 1967. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 1992's "Indochine."

The lineup of movies competing for the Golden Lion, as well as those showing out of competition, is expected to be presented next month. This year's festival runs Aug. 30 to Sept. 9.