Yes, indeed, we’re aware that you probably already know who Spike Lee is and you may be familiar with his work. But, outside of him premiering his latest film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus at The American Black Film Festival, which takes place in New York City this year (June 19-22), what else do you know about the filmmaker?
1. In 2004, Spike Lee won the American Black Film Festival’s Time Warner Innovator Award.
2. Lee has directed commercials for Converse, Jaguar, Taco Bell and Ben & Jerry’s.
3. His full name is Shelton Jackson Lee.
4. The filmmaker was awarded the 20th annual Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in 2013, an award that carries a reward of $300,000.
5. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983.
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6. Despite his strong proud Brooklyn stance, Lee was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia.
7. Lee’s thesis film, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, was the first student film to be showcased in Lincoln Center’s New Directors New Films Festival in 1983. It also won a Student Academy Award.
8. Lee sought an injunction against Spike TV in 2003 to prevent them from using his nickname, he felt viewers would think it was his channel.
9. His latest film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, was funded via Kickstarter.
10. His first feature film, She’s Gotta Have It, will be made in a Showtime TV show.