ANTHONY MINGHELLA

The British filmmaker, who the won Best Director Oscar for his 1996 movie The English Patient, died from complications following surgery for cancer of the tonsils and neck at London's Charing Cross Hospital on Tuesday (18Mar08). He was 54 years old.

Minghella was due to chair the festival's jury at the nine-day event in June, but organisers will instead pay tribute to the filmmaker.

Festival spokeswoman Crystal Yu says, "This happened so suddenly. We're in the process of looking for a replacement."

Source: WENN