Chinese director Wong Kar-wai to head jury at next year’s Berlin film festival

BERLIN – Organizers of the Berlin International Film Festival say Chinese director Wong Kar-wai will lead the jury at next year’s event in February.

Festival director Dieter Kosslick praised the 56-year-old Wong on Tuesday for the “distinctive signature and the poetry of his works.”

Wong, who was born in Shanghai and grew up in Hong Kong, is known for films including “As Tears Go By,” ”Chungking Express,” ”Happy Together” and “In the Mood for Love.”

The Berlin festival didn’t immediately name other members of the jury, which will choose the winner of the event’s top Golden Bear honour and other prizes.

This year’s jury president was British director Mike Leigh. The 2013 edition — the festival’s 63rd — runs from Feb. 7-17.