MERYL’S CHOICE: Meryl Streep is President of the Jury of the 66th Berlin Intl. Film Festival

Streep, marking her first participation in a festival jury, will lead the panel in selecting the Gold and Silver Bears for best film, best actor and actress. The 2015 Golden Bear went to Taxi, directed by Jafar Panahi and the actress and actor awards went to Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, both for the film 45 Years. Streep has been awarded by Berlin twice; in 1999 with the Berlinale Camera and in 2003 sharing the Silver Bear with co-stars Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore for The Hours.

“Meryl Streep is one of the most creative and multifaceted film artists. To mark our enthusiasm for her extraordinary talent we awarded her the honorary Golden Bear in 2012 for her lifetime achievement. I am very happy that she is returning to Berlin and with her artistic experience will take on the chairmanship of the International Jury,” Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick said.

Streep, in a statement released by the festival, said: “It is a thrill to return to the festival under any circumstances, but it is with great relish and anticipation I look forward to jury duty. The responsibility is somewhat daunting, as I have never been president of anything before.”

The Berlin International Film Festivals runs February 11-21, 2016.