Spike Lee to receive award at Montreal International Black Film Festival

TORONTO — Filmmaker Spike Lee will receive the inaugural Pioneer Award at the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) next month.

The 57-year-old director will accept the honour Sept. 24 at the Imperial Theatre ahead of the Canadian premiere of his new film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.

An audience Q&A session with Lee will follow the film screening.

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“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,” said MIBFF president and founder Fabienne Colas, in a release.

“We hope to inspire the next generation of filmmakers to push the envelope and raise their voice for everything they believe in.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Lee’s Do the Right Thing, which earned Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Supporting Actor.

The 10th anniversary edition of the MIBFF runs Sept. 23 to 28.

Global Montreal is a presenting sponsor of the MIBFF.