SPIKE LEE, Academy Award Nominated Director, to Receive Inaugural PIONEER AWARD At 10th Annual Montreal International Black Film Festival, on September 24th

Followed by the Canadian Premiere of His Latest Film
DA SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS

Wednesday September 24, 7PM at Imperial Theatre
Tickets on sale now: www.montrealblackfilm.com

Montreal International Black Film Festival - created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation,
presented by Global Montreal - September 23 to 28, 2014

MONTREAL, Aug. 21, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Academy Award nominated director and screenwriter Spike Lee will receive the Montreal International Black Film Festival's inaugural PIONEER AWARD on Wednesday September 24, 2014, 7PM at Imperial Theatre. The MIBFF is thrilled to grant him this prestigious award in recognition of his body of work which revolutionized the role of black talent in Hollywood, tearing away decades of stereotypes and marginalized portrayals to establish a new arena for African-American voices to be heard.

The award ceremony will precede the Canadian premiere of Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Spike Lee's latest film funded by Kickstarter. Following the film screening, audience members will get a chance to participate in a Q&A session with the famed director.

MIBFF's presentation of the PIONEER AWARD coincides with the 25^th anniversary of Spike Lee's landmark film, Do the Right Thing, a film that garnered Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and sparked a debate on racial relations.

"It is a tremendous honour and privilege for all of us to welcome Spike Lee to Montreal and to honour him with our very first PIONEER AWARD. We hope to inspire the next generation of filmmakers to push the envelop and raise their voice for everything they believe in: dare to be yourself!" - Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the MIBFF.

"Having Spike Lee at the 10^th MIBFF not only to receive the festival's inaugural PIONEER AWARD but also for the Canadian premiere of his latest film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, 25 years after Do the Right Thing, is not only a privilege but an immense honour" - Emile Castonguay, Programming Director and Co-Founder of the festival.

For Spike Lee's bio, info on his film premiere and all the latest on the festival, visit: www.montrealblackfilm.com

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Image with caption: "SPIKE LEE, Academy Award Nominated Director, to Receive Inaugural PIONEER AWARD At 10th Annual Montreal International Black Film Festival, on September 24th (CNW Group/Montreal International Black Film Festival)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140821_C3387_PHOTO_EN_5014.jpg

SOURCE: Montreal International Black Film Festival

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