Tarantino to head Venice film fest jury

VENICE, Italy, May 6 (UPI) -- Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino has been selected to chair the competition jury of the Venice Film Festival in September, organizers said.

Tarantino's movies include "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill" and "Inglourious Basterds."

Variety quoted festival head Marco Mueller as saying Tarantino was chosen because he is "one of the most startling directors in cinema today," as well as a "studied and imitated 'point of reference.'"

The 67th Venice film festival is scheduled for Sept. 1-11.