Emir Kusturica will presideover the jury at this year's Cannes Film Festival organizers announcedWednesday.

The director, who hails fromSarajevo, is no stranger to the festival. His first trip was in 1985 with WhenFather Was Away On Business which took the Palme d'Or that year.

In 1989 he won best directorat the festival with Time Of The Gypsies and in 1995 won the Palme d'Oragain for Underground. His last trip to Cannes was last year with LifeIs A Miracle.

In a press release,Kusturica thanked the festival and added, "Now it is my turn to defend thevalues of the festival: I have given myself a mission as president of the juryto put aesthetics and artistry at the heart of the event."

Meanwhile, Abbas Kiarostami has been named president of the Camera d'Or jury.

The Camera d'Or is a prize given to a first time feature filmmaker. Directors with films is the main competition, Un Certain Regard, Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week are eligible.

Veteran filmmaker Kiarostami is a Cannes favorite. His first selected film was 1992's Life And Nothing More which competed in the Un Certain Regard sidebar. In 1994, Under The Olive Trees ran in the main competition while 1997's The Taste Of Cherries won the Palme d'Or. In 2002, Ten was an official selection followed by 2003's Blood And Gold in Un Certain Regard and one year later 10 On Ten in the same sidebar. Last year, the director's Five was screened out of competition.

Kiarostami was also a member of the Cinefondation and short films juries in 2002 and was an official competition jury member in 1993.

Upon the news, Kiarostami said: "The incorrigible humanist that I am shares the views of this independent festival which has never followed a political line."

The 58th edition of theCannes Film Festival will run from May 11-22.