MULTI-AWARDED independent filmmaker Lav Diaz has been chosen as jury member for the Orizzonti (Horizon) section of the prestigious 67th International Venice Film Festival, organizers announced on Friday.

A report published in Variety magazine (www.variety.com) said Diaz will be joined by Italian director Pietro Marcello, Tunisian writer-director Raja Amari and Austrian critic Alexander Horwath. Jury president is Iranian filmmaker Shirin Neshat.

?It?s cool, it?s an honor,? Diaz said of his appointment. ?It?s an opportunity to see new works that push cinema to greater directions.?

Diaz is the first Filipino to win the grand prize (Orizzonti Award) from the VIFF with his eight-hour film ?Melancholia? (2008). His ?Death in the Land of Encantos? also competed in the festival?s documentary category in 2007.

The festival will run from September 1 to 11.