Cannes 2015: Meet the jury

In case you havent heard and lets face it, its easy to miss the news reports, critic reviews, red carpet coverage, and countless smugly sunny social media updates from those in attendance this years 68th Cannes Film Festival is now well under way.

But while we wait to hear about exciting new films, surprising awards contenders and which films will get the inevitable chorus of unwarranted boos, all eyes are on the big prize: the Palme dOr, as decided by the Main Competition Jury.

But which mighty gods of cinema make up this judging panel? And why is their opinion sooooo important? Lets find out.

Who they are: Filmmaker brothers who are probably in some way responsible for at least two of your favourite movies of all time. As acclaimed directors, writers, producers, editors and even songwriters (for Inside Llewyn Davies), as well as four-time Oscar winners, they have more than enough qualifications to be this years Presidents of the Jury.

Why theyre cool: Just look at their back catalogue. The Big Lebowski? Fargo? Millers Crossing? O Brother, Where Art Thou? No Country For Old Men? Their entire CV reads like a Best Of list.

Who they are: Spanish actress discovered by Pedro Almodvar and famous for starring in many of his films, such as Law Of Desire, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, Kika, The Flower Of My Secret and Broken Embraces.

Why theyre cool: Serving as the muse for one of the most brilliant and prolific filmmakers working today.

Who they are: French actress mostly famous for Braveheart and The World Is Not Enough, but who first achieved acclaim as a teenager, winning a Csar Award for Most Promising Actress for her role in her debut films La Boum and La Boum 2.

Why theyre cool: For all her achievements and awards, you just cant overlook the fact that she was a Bond-girl-turned-villain. Thats so cool.

Who they are: Brit model-turned actress who first entered the public consciousness in a big way when her relationship with Jude Law made her a tabloid target. Early roles in the likes of Layer Cake, Alfie and Stardust, led to more prominent roles in The Edge Of Love and G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra and most recently she has been seen in two Oscar contenders: American Sniper and Foxcatcher.

Why theyre cool: As career progressions go, tabloid gossip victim to credible actress in multi-Academy-Award-nominated films is up there with the best of them.

Who they are: Mali-born singer, songwriter and composer with music featured on several documentaries, including All The Invisible Children. Her unusual arrangements and use of a variety of instruments have led to worldwide acclaim.

Why theyre cool: Not only does she sing and play guitar, she also plays something called a ngoni and something else called a balafon. Race ya to Google!

Who they are: Mexican filmmaker with roots in low-budget horror who soon made the jump to big, budget special effects extravaganzas like Hellboy, Pacific Rim and at least one Hobbit movie we wish we could've seen.

Why theyre cool: His imagination for fantastical creatures and monsters is enough to make several therapists froth at the mouth.

Who they are: French-Canadian actor and filmmaker and Cannes darling. His first feature film, I Killed My Mother, received an 8-minute standing ovation and won the Regards Jeune Prize, as did his next film, Heartbeats. His third film Laurence Anyways won the Queer Palm and his last movie, Mommy, won last years Jury Prize. Overachiever.

Why theyre cool: Hes only 26. Ugh. What have we done with our lives?

Who they are: A-list Hollywood actor who rose to fame with cult indie hit Donnie Darko, was soon after Oscar-nominated for his role in Brokeback Mountain, and has since tightrope-walked the line between blockbuster fare (Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time), cerebral thrillers (Source Code, Zodiac) and should-have-been-nominated awards-worthy films (Nightcrawler).

Why theyre cool: Did you see his transformation from Nightcrawlers skeletal Louis Bloom to the boxing beast Billy Hope in the forthcoming Southpaw? This is a man dedicated to his craft.

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