Tarantino to head Venice festival jury

Director Quentin Tarantino will appear as a judge at the Venice Film Festival this September.

AAP

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THE Venice Film Festival says Quentin Tarantino will head the jury that will award the coveted Golden Lion at this year's festival.

The festival called the director "one of the major creative figures in contemporary cinema" when announcing his appointment on Thursday.

The festival cited Tarantino's highly original filmmaking style, work as a character actor, films that have launched and relaunched acting careers and his dedication to young filmmakers in his work as a producer.

Tarantino has directed such films as Inglourious Basterds, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

The Venice film festival runs from September 1-10.