Moritz de Hadeln, artistic director of this year's FestivalInternational de Film deMontreal (FIFM), hasbeen named president of the international jury of the Damascus International Film Festival (November 20-27).

Acceptingthe offer from the Syrian event, the former head of the Berlin, Venice and Locarno festivals said: "Inthe difficult international present political situation, I measure even so morethe great responsibility you entrust me with."