Perserverence is paying off for the Cannes Film Festival.

The event has been trying for years to get Stephen Spielberg to head the awards jury. But he was always working.

But Festival President Gilles Jacob says this year, Spielberg contacted him.

Jacob says as soon as he heard the words “E.T. phone home,” he knew Spielberg was available to head the jury. He immediately posted the news on the festival’s website.

Spielberg was considered the favourite to win the Oscar for directing Lincoln this year, but lost out to Ang Lee for Life of Pi.

The Cannes Film Festival takes place from May 15 to 26.