VENICE, Italy – The Venice Film Festival has announced that "Black Swan" director Darren Aronofsky will head the jury of the next festival.
Aronofsky's Oscar-nominated film "Black Swan" opened last year's festival, and he won the Golden Lion in 2008 for "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke.
"Black Swan" received five Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director. Natalie Portman won the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of an obsessed ballerina.
The festival, in a statement Wednesday, called Aronofsky a key figure in contemporary film, saying his work "constantly engages the evolution and mutations of the many languages of art."
The international jury awards the Golden Lion and other official prizes. The festival runs Aug. 31-Sept. 10.
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