Organizers of 11th Shanghai International Film Festival are seeking another prominent film maker as jury chairman following the sudden death of Oscar-winning British director Anthony Minghella.

The committee is compiling a list of candidates for the position but so far no decision has been made.

"We are looking for another film maker of fame to head the jury panel," said Tang Lijun, a member of the organizing committee for the June 14-22 festival.

"That is not an easy job, as Minghella's death was so sudden. We need to check each candidate's schedule."

Tang, who declined to reveal the candidates' names, said Minghella's death was a big loss to the festival and to world cinema.

Minghella opened the British panorama section of the Shanghai festival in 2006, and talked to up-and-coming Chinese directors.

Tang said she was deeply impressed by his wonderful mind and great personality. She said the director had confessed his envy for Chinese film makers, because they had a long, brilliant culture and history that inspired their creations.

This year's Shanghai International Film Festival will include a special screening of some of his films. His family and Chinese friends, including mainland director Chen Kaige and actress Xu Jinglei, will be invited.

(Shanghai Daily, March 23, 2008)