THE French directors’ society will honor Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke with the Carrosse d’Or during this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

    The Chinese director, who won Cannes’ best screenplay award for “A Touch of Sin” in 2013, will be honored during the opening ceremony of the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar May 14.

    A screening of Jia’s 2001 underground film “Platform” will precede a master class given by the director in the afternoon.

    He has been a regular at the festival with his “Unknown Pleasures” (2002), “24 City” (2008) and “I Wish I Knew” (2010) in official competition.

    “Your films are visual poems, with the precision of each shot offering a constant reflection. We would like to acknowledge the committed, independent, poetic and visionary artistry,” board members wrote in a letter announcing the prize.

    “Each of your films is precious for its insight into Chinese society but also into the solitude and spiritual journey present in humanity. You are the witness to these lives,” the letter reads in part.

    The Carrosse d’Or Prize has been awarded by the French filmmakers society since 2002. The recipient is chosen from the international filmmaking community for the innovative qualities, courage and independent-mindedness of his or her work.(SD-Agencies)