John C. Reilly, who made his acting debut in Casualties of War (1989) by Brian De Palma, will serve as president of the jury of the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. Those joining the 57-year-old actor in the jury panel are French Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, whose Return to Seoul screened in Un Certain Regard last year; the French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour (Proxima, Revoir Paris), German actress Paula Beer (Transit, Afire) and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne (Close).

This year’s Un Certain Regard program, which often showcases emerging young filmmakers, embraces 20 films in competition, eight of which are debut films. Last year’s movie The Worst Ones, directed by French filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret’s, took home the Un Certain Regard Prize, which was handed out by Valeria Golino, the 2022 President of the Jury. First feature films in Un Certain Regard are also eligible for the Camera d’Or prize, an award that honors a first film from any of the festival’s sections.

In a statement, Reilly said: “I have had so many life-changing moments at the Festival de Cannes, from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage! So, to be chosen as the President of Un Certain Regard Jury is truly such an incredible honor. Many of the films I have been lucky to appear in have been selected by the festival over these many years and nothing feels as special as being invited to this amazing annual gathering of the very best cinema has to offer the world.” He further added: “I look forward to helping launch another generation of filmmakers on this special occasion as the festival has done since its inception. I am humbled and thrilled. ¡Viva Cinema!”

The multi-talented US actor-comedian gained momentum throughout the ’90s and is best known for his work in pictures such as Days of Thunder and The River Wild. Reilly also became a key player in three of Paul Thomas Anderson’s flicks. In Hard Eight he played Sidney, a compulsive gambler. In Boogie Nights he transformed into Reed Rothchild, a narcissistic porn star. In the psychological drama Magnolia he portrays the compassionate police officer Jim Kurring. And let’s not forget some other high points along his career: he did The Thin Red Line for icon auteur Terrence Malick, and worked with much-beloved director Martin Scorsese on Gangs of New York and The Aviator.

Thus far Reilly has had an amazing parkour, with an astonishing range of roles for which he got many award graces. He received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the movie Chicago. So far, he has been honored with 4 Golden Globes nominations: one for Chicago, two for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, one for Stan & Olie.

His earlier films, including Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, Roman Polanski’s Carnage, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster and Tales of Tale, were all put under the world-famous red carpet spotlights and screened at the esteemed galas in Cannes.

Reilly is currently appearing in the HBO sports drama series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, which has been renewed for a second season.