American director Wes Anderson’s new film Moonrise Kingdom will open the 65th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, the organisers announced.

The film, also co-produced by Mr Anderson, will be released the same day in French cinemas prior to its US release on May 25.

Mr Anderson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Roman Coppola, also directed movies including The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) and Fantastic Mr Fox (2009).

Moonrise Kingdom, filmed on an island in New England, is described as a “tormenting and surprising story of children and adults during the stormy days of the summer of 1965”.

The jury of the 65th festival will be presided over by Italian film-maker Nanni Moretti.

The official selection for the festival, running from May 16 to 27, will be announced on April 19.

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