Cannes Film Festival announces jury

Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux has announced the jury for the 2012 film festival, which will include fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, actress Diane Kruger, actor Ewan McGregor and "The Descendants" director Alexander Payne, Global Post reported, citing the Hollywood Reporter.

The panel — which also features Palestinian actress and director Hiam Abbass, British writer-director Andrea Arnold, French actress Emmanuelle Devos, and Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck — will join the jury president, Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti. The panel is responsible for selecting the Palme D'Or, Cannes' highest honor, as well as seven other festival awards, according to the Chicago Tribune reported.

The 2012 Cannes Film Festival opens May 16 and runs through May 27, according to the Los Angeles Times. The jury will watch the roughly two dozen competition films and debate them in closed meetings. The winners will be announced at the festival's closing day, according to the Times.