Sawt Falasteen - Kristen Stewart to lead Berlin film fest jury

The 73rd annual Berlinale, as the event is known, said the 32-year-old star of "Spencer" and the "Twilight" movies would lead the panel selecting the winners of the Golden and Silver Bear top prizes.

"We're excited about Kristen Stewart taking on this distinguished task. She's one of the most talented and multi-faceted actors of her generation," festival chiefs Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said in a statement.

"Young, shining and with an impressive body of work behind her, Kristen Stewart is the perfect bridge between US and Europe."

Considered one of Hollywood's major young talents, Stewart began her career as a child actor, starring alongside Jodie Foster in David Fincher's "Panic Room".

The five-part "Twilight" saga made her and Robert Pattinson global superstars. Both have harnessed their box office bankability to pursue projects with independent directors on each side of the Atlantic.

In 2015, Stewart became the first American to win France's Cesar film award, for her role alongside Juliette Binoche in "Clouds of Sils Maria".

Two years later she marked her directorial and screenwriting debut with the short film "Come Swim" and in 2018 served on the main jury at the Cannes film festival.

Last year she was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress for her turn as Princess Diana in Pablo Larraín's drama "Spencer".

The Berlinale, which will run February 16-26, ranks with Cannes and Venice among Europe's top three film festivals and serves as an early annual launchpad for the industry.

Spanish director Carla Simon won the Golden Bear for best film this year for "Alcarras", a Catalan drama about peach farmers.

Organisers announced last month that three-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg, 75, would attend the event to pick up an Honorary Golden Bear prize for lifetime achievement.

I.Yassin--SF-PST