NEW YORK 鈥� Spike Lee, who was set to lead last year's jury for the Cannes Film Festival that was ultimately
The French Riviera festival on Tuesday announced that Lee will be president of the jury for the 74th Cannes. Usually held in May, this year's Cannes Film Festival has been delayed by the health crisis. It's set to take place July 6-17.
Lee is the first Black person to head the Cannes jury, which selects one of cinema's top prizes, the Palme d'Or.
Pierre Lescure, president of the festival, praised Lee for his loyalty and spirit.
鈥淭hroughout the months of uncertainty we鈥檝e just been through, Spike Lee has never stopped encouraging us,鈥� said Lescure in a statement. 鈥淭his support is finally coming to fruition and we could not have hoped for a more powerful personality to chart our troubled times.鈥�
Organizers said preparations 鈥渁re in full swing鈥� for this year's Cannes, more details of which will be announced in coming weeks. Selections will be announced in early June.
Several of Lee鈥檚 films premiered at Cannes, including 鈥淒o the Right Thing鈥� in 1989. In 2018, his 鈥淏lacKkKlansman鈥� won one of the festival's top prizes, the Grand Prix.
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
