David Lynch, whose Mulholland Drive is just starting a successful European release, is to head the jury of this year's Cannes film festival (15-26 May).

Lynch a Cannes regular, said: "I am filled with excitement, fear and the full meaning of responsibility as I accept this honour to be named president of the fifty-fifth Festival de Cannes - the greatest film festival in the world. I will do my best to help continue the festival's great tradition of spotlighting and celebrating world cinema through friendly competition."

Cannes president Gilles Jacob said: "David Lynch has a family name that ill fits an artist who hates to judge his peers. In this instance, however, it is not a question of judging but of electing. 'Lynx' would have been a better name to illustrate the natural elegance and sharp eye of one of the foremost creators in film world-wide.

Lynch has himself presented four films at Cannes: 1990's Wild At Heart, 1992's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, The Straight Story in 1999 and last year Mulholland Drive. Wild At Heart earned him the Palme d'Or, while he picked up the best director prize for Mulholland Drive.