Vanessa Paradis has joined Cannes Film Festival 2016 jury.

Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis

The 43-year-old French actress - the former partner of Johnny Depp - is set to judge alongside eight other "luminaries" prominent in the film industry, which will be led by 'Mad Max: Fury Road' director and Cannes President George Miller, to decide who will win the Palm d'Or prize at the event held in the French town in May.

Speaking to Deadline website about the diversity at the international festival and the panellists, a spokesperson for the festival said: "Cannes has always sought to adopt a universal and international approach, and in tune with this tradition, George Miller will be surrounded by eight luminaries of world cinema."

Kirsten Dunst - who won the Best Actress award at Cannes in 2011 for her role as Justine in "Melancholia" - is also set to join the panel, alongside French director-and-writer Arnaud Desplechin, Laszlo Nemes, Valeria Golino, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, producer Katayoon Shahabi and Canadian actor Donald Sutherland.

The Cannes Film Festival will see 21 films compete for the prestigious accolade and the award will be handed out on the closing day of the event.

Festival chief Thierry Frémaux has previously revealed the annual ceremony will see a break from tradition with the live results screened live.

The 69th Cannes Film Festival will open on May 11 and will draw to a close on May 22.