“MAD Max” creator George Miller has been named as president of this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury.

    Miller, whose films also include “Lorenzo’s Oil” and “The Witches of Eastwick,” will be the first Australian to preside over the film event.

    His prestigious new role follows on from the success of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in the Oscars race after the movie picked up 10 nominations.

    Cannes organizers called Miller a “visionary” filmmaker.

    In a statement released Tuesday, organizers said that choosing Miller, who is also a screenwriter and producer, was a celebration of genre cinema.

    And seemingly unfazed by the task ahead, Miller has reacted with enthusiasm. “What an unmitigated delight. To be there in the middle of this storied festival at the unveiling of cinematic treasures from all over the planet,” Miller said in a statement.

    The 69th Cannes Film Festival will be held May 11-22.

    (SD-Agencies)