Meryl Streep to head Berlin Film Festival Jury

‘Devil wears Prada’ star, Meryl Streep has been announced as head of the jury for the 66th edition of the Berlin Film Festival come 2016 after Darren Aronofsky led it last year. This will be Streep’s first-ever festival jury duty. Three-time Academy Award winner and 19-time nominee Meryl Streep will be jury president of the […]

‘Devil wears Prada’ star, Meryl Streep has been announced as head of the jury for the 66th edition of the Berlin Film Festival come 2016 after Darren Aronofsky led it last year. This will be Streep’s first-ever festival jury duty.
Three-time Academy Award winner and 19-time nominee Meryl Streep will be jury president of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival next year, organizers announced on Wednesday.
According to the organisers in reports posted online: “It will be the first time in her longstanding career that this world famous star takes on the role of a juror at a film festival.”
“Meryl Streep is one of the most creative and multifaceted film artists,” said Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick. “To mark our enthusiasm for her extraordinary talent we awarded her the honorary Golden Bear in 2012 for her lifetime achievement. I am very happy that she is returning to Berlin and with her artistic experience will take on the chairmanship of the international jury.”
The ‘Mama Mia’ star, honored with a Golden Globe eight times and nominated a further 20 times, has been a guest at the Berlin film festival on a number of occasions. In 1999, she was awarded the Berlinale Camera, and in 2003, together with Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman, she shared the Silver Bear award for their performances in ‘The Hours.’
In 2006, she was in the Berlin festival competition in Robert Altman’s ensemble comedy A Prairie Home Companion. In 2012, she received the lifetime achievement honor.
Responding to the new role, Streep said: “It is a thrill to return to the festival under any circumstances, but it is with great relish and anticipation I look forward to jury duty.
“The responsibility is somewhat daunting, as I have never been president of anything before, and I hope I can come up to the precedent set by the distinguished juries of preceding years. Grateful for the honor,” she added.