Oscarcontender Alexander Payne will preside over the jury for the Un Certain Regardsection of the 58th Cannes Film Festival (May 11-22), organizers said Thursday.

TheUS filmmaker, whose Sideways, isup for five Academy Awards this weekend including picture, director and adaptedscreenplay, has traveled to Cannes in an official capacity once before: In2002, his About Schmidt screenedin the main competition.

UnCertain Regard is a complement to the official selection. The prize for bestfilm last year went to Ousmane Sembene's Moolaade.

Payne made hisfeature-length debut in 1996 with Citizen Ruth, before breaking through three years later with hissatirical comedy, Election. Hisscreenplays for both About Schmidtand Sideways won Golden Globes.