Chris Mercier has been appointed as the scout for English-language territories for Cannes' Directors' Fortnight sidebar (Quinzaine Des Realisateurs) for the second year.

The announcement was made by Olivier Pere, the Fortnight's new artistic director, who said: "we are dedicated to discovering new talents and to supporting an eclectic range of features from innovative film-makers."

The British Council will work with Mercier to source English-language films from the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the US and hold private screenings in London from March 17-20. Mercier and other selectors Frederic Boyer and Aurelia Georges will be present.

Mercier, who will continue as manager of European rights buying consortium Indie Circle, began selecting for the Fortnight under the regime of previous head Francois Da Silva.