Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom to open Cannes

Moonrise Kingdom, the latest production from American filmmaker Wes Anderson, has landed the opening slot at the Cannes Film Festival.

Organizers of the prestigious French fest revealed the selection on Friday, praising the distinctive style of the filmmaker behind movies like Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

"Wes Anderson is one of the rising powers of American cinema, to which he brings a highly personal touch," festival delegate Thierry Frmaux said in a statement.

Anderson's coming-of-age comedy "is a testimony to the creative freedom in which he continues to evolve. Sensitive and independent, this admirer of Fellini and Renoir is also in his own right a brilliant and inventive filmmaker."

Set in a New England coastal town in 1965, Moonrise Kingdom follows two teens whose decision to run away together turns their community upside down. Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward portray the young couple at the centre of the film.

A star-studded cast of actors portray the adults concerned with finding the pair, including Ed Norton, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand, as well as past Anderson collaborators Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.

"With Wes Anderson opening the 65th Festival de Cannes, young American cinema will be celebrated on the Croisette," festival president Gilles Jacob added.

Further lineup details will be announced on April 19. Noted Italian filmmaker Nanni Morettiwill preside over the Cannes 2012 jury, which awards the festival's top prize: the Palme d'Or.

The 65th Cannes Film Festival runs May 16-27.