Cate Blanchett has come to Cannes from the other side of the Atlantic to add to her impressive repertoire. Since starting her career in her native country of Australia, Ms. Blanchett has continued to expand her profession in the United States of America, taking the film industry by storm. Becoming president of the jury of the 71st International Film Festival is at the top of a long list of achievements for Ms. Blanchett. Along with being the only Australian actor to win two Oscars, she remains the only actor to receive that same award for portraying another Oscar winner in a film. This past year she was named a Companion in the Order of Australia, the highest level of membership in the Austrailian order of chivalry. The Cannes Film Festival is not unfamiliar territory to Ms. Blanchett, who has had six films previously shown at the festival, such as 199's "An Ideal Husband" and 2015's "Carol". As president of the jury, Ms. Blanchett has one of the most important tasks ahead of her in the upcoming weeks. Along with Khadja Nin, Robert Guédiguian, Chang Chen, Ava Duvernay, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart, Denis Villeneuve, and Andrey Zvyagintsev, Ms. Blanchett will select the winner of the Palme d’Or.

The award ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 19th at 7:15 PM.

Writer: Anna Mancino