The Venice Film Festival has named a distinguished list of directors to make up the international competition jury for its 64th edition.

The jurists are all 'important figures' in Venice's recent history, the Biennale said.

The jurors will are:

French director Catherine Breillat, who presented Brief Crossing at Venice in 2001 and whose Une Vieille maitresse was presented in competition at Cannes in May.

Oscar winning New Zealander Jane Campion, who has been to the Lido three times with Angel at My Table (winner of the 1990 Silver Lion), 1996's The Portrait of A Lady which closed the festival out of competition, and 1999's Holy Smoke which played in competition.

Italian directoral talent Emanuele Crialese, whose immigration-themed The Golden Door won Venice's Revelation Silver Lion last year and was Italy's Oscar contender.

From Mexico, Golden Globe winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - who participated in Venice 59's Special Event - a multi-director feature 11'09'01. He also presented his 2003 film 21 Grams in Venice, where Sean Penn won best actor.

Turkish-born and Rome-based director Ferzan Ozpetek, one of Italy's most loved auteurs who has made 10 films in six years including Hamam: The Turkish Bath and Facing Windows.

Dutch director Paul Verhoeven, who had the world premiere of his hit Black Book at Venice last year.

And, as previously announced, Chinese director Zhang Yimou will preside over the jury.

The Venice Film Festival will present its 64th edition within the framework of Bienalle's 75th jubilee anniversary - the last time Venice had an all-director's jury was at its 50th anniversary in 1982.