Posted by: Editor on Oct 25, 2005 – 05:07 PM
newsandinfo World-renowned and award-winning director and actor, Spike Lee, will receive the inaugural Career Achievement Award when he is honored by the Second Annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) taking place from December 8-11, 2005. The award will honor Mr. Lee’s innovative style and his profound effect on cinematic artistry. During BIFF we will pay tribute to Mr. Lee, Our Tribute to Spike Lee will open with an onstage interview with the director, during which we will present clips film clips of his films. The Tribute Ceremony will be moderated by distinguished film critic and journalist, Karin Durbin.
In addition to Mr. Lee’s prolific cinematic contributions, he has also proven himself a strong and effective advocate for filmmaking in developing countries. We applaud Mr. Lee as a role model for aspiring filmmakers. “Not only are we celebrating Spike’s career, but we are celebrating his achievements as a pioneer in creating cinematic opportunities that have transformed the industry,” says Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director, BIFF. To have Mr. Lee, one of the most innovative directors of all time, embrace and endorse our festival clearly demonstrates his commitment to geographies with emerging film industries.
“Spike Lee offers emerging actors the opportunity to work in a safe yet highly creative and cutting edge environment. When working with Spike he never attempts to limit your creative input which means a lot to a growing artist”, says actor Anthony Mackie (star of Spike Lees She Hate Me).
Mr. Lee is widely regarded as the premier African American filmmaker. He is the frontrunner in the “do it yourself” school of independent film. He has recently completed the production of his 17th film, Inside Man starring Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster and Clive Owen. Recent critical and box office successes have included such films as The 25th Hour, The Original Kings of Comedy, Bamboozled and Summer of Sam. Mr. Lee’s films, Girl 6, Get on The Bus, Do The Right Thing and Clockers display his ability to challenge assumptions about race, class and gender identity through outspoken and provocative socio-economical and political critiques.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Lee returned south to attend Morehouse College. After graduation, he returned to Brooklyn to continue his education at New York University’s Tisch School of Arts where he received his Master of Fine Arts Degree in film production. He subsequently founded 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks based in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, where he resided during his childhood. In addition to his feature film achievements, Mr. Lee has produced and directed numerous music videos for artists as diverse as Chaka Khan, Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker, Public Enemy, Bruce Hornsby, and Michael Jackson. His other music videos include work for the late Miles Davis, Phyliss Hyman, Naughty by Nature, and Arrested Development.
Shes Gotta Have It, Mr. Lee’s independently produced comedy and debut film, earned him the Prix de Jeunesse Award at the Cannes Film festival in 1986 and secured his position as a leader in the Black New Wave in American Cinema.
School Daze, Mr. Lee’s very profitable second feature, helped to launch the careers of several young Black actors.
Do The Right Thing, earned Mr. Lee an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film & Director awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association in 1989.
Mr. Lees films, Jungle Fever, Mo’ Better Blues, Clockers, and Crooklyn also received critical acclaim.
For more information visit:
https://www.bahamas-travel.info/events/film-festival/