Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux has been named general manager of the festival, organizers announced Monday. The appointment was made by the Cannes board of directors on July 19 based on a proposal by Cannes president Gilles Jacob.

Fremaux officially took up his new functions on August 9, while continuing to oversee selection of films for the festival.

In a statement, Jacob said, 'In its sixty year history, the Cannes festival has only had three general managers: Robert Favre-Le Bret, Maurice Bessy and myself. I am happy to declare my satisfaction that the board of directors joins me in Thierry Fremaux's nomination. A page is turning. After seven festivals as artistic director and crowned by the success of the 60th edition, he has my confidence and my support. This nomination allows - and this is my primary objective - to ensure the future under the best auspices.'

After rising to the post of director of the Institut Lumiere in Lyon in 1995, Fremaux joined the Cannes Film Festival in October 2000 as artistic director. Jacob took over as president of the festival in June of 2000.

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