Spike Lee named host of ad competition

NEW YORK, April 16 (UPI) -- MOFILM says acclaimed U.S. filmmaker Spike Lee has been named the host of the user-generated content competition at the Cannes Lions 2009 Advertising Festival.

The event is to be held in the South of France June 21-27.

"The MOFILM U12 competition gives creatives all over the world the chance to develop branded communication via video for some of the world's leading brands in a competition designed to showcase global talent at the 'Oscars of the Advertising World,'" MOFILM said in a release.

"Not only does the competition allow everyday individuals a unique opportunity to let their voices be heard, but also the chance to obtain visibility in front of top brands and an estimated 10 million video, Internet and mobile viewers worldwide," the company continued. "With more than $120,000 in prizes and a chance to be on the set of Spike Lee's next production, the competition is sure to generate a lot of excitement."

"Giving aspiring creative individuals this type of opportunity to tell their story truly resonates with me," added Lee. "It's such a unique collaboration of your everyday consumer along with major worldwide brands and focuses purely around what the individual would like to celebrate about these brands."