Chinese director Jia Zhangke will chair the Orizzonti jury at the 68th Venice Film Festival, according to the organizing committee of the film festival.

The Orizzonti section is one of the two official competition sections at the festival. It aims to "present works that reflect the continual redefinition of filmmaking within the whole range of contemporary visual expression and bring new tendencies to the world cinema," according to the festival's Website.

As a frequent visitor to the Venice Film Festival, Jia won the top Golden Lion award in 2006 for the film Still Life.

Iranian director Amir Naderi's Cut will officially open the Orizzonti section this year.

The 68th Venice Film Festival will run from August 31 to September 10.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 15, 2011)