Organizers of the Marrakesh Film Festival have announced that American director Martin Scorsese will lead the jury of the festival in its 13th edition, set to take place from November 29th to December 7th, 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

"I'm very happy to be this year's jury president," said Scorsese in a statement. "I have made two films in Morocco, during which time I came to admire the spirit of the Moroccan people and the beauty of their culture. I am eager to discover the movies coming from all around the world to this unique festival."

Scorsese filmed The Last Temptation of Christ in the country in 1988 and Kundun at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate in 1995.