The Cannes Film Festival announced on Thursday, December 13, that Barbie’s director, Greta Gerwig, 40, will serve as jury president in 2024.

The actress-turned-director received praise for her efforts on the summer hit Barbie, which became the highest-grossing film of 2023.

She will be the first American female director in film gala history to serve as jury president.

“I love films – I love making them, I love going to them, I love talking about them,” Gerwig said of her passion for the medium.

She goes on to say, “As a cinephile, Cannes has always been the pinnacle of what the universal language of movies can be.”

The director will be the second female director to serve as jury president, following Jane Campion, who presided over the award nearly a decade ago.

She will also be the second American woman to serve as jury president, following Olivia de Havilland.

Gerwig said she was “thrilled” and “excited” to be a member of the tribe.

“I am stunned and thrilled and humbled to be serving as the president of the Cannes Film Festival Jury. I cannot wait to see what journeys are in store for all of us!,” the director stated.

Gerwig has directed several films, including Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2020).