Short Film News (SFN) - SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced that it will honor Spike Lee at the Charles Guggenheim Symposium, a centerpiece of the festival which takes place in June.

Spike Lee, an Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award nominated director, producer, writer and actor with more than 35 films to his credit, was selected for his unyielding commitment to telling stories that challenge America's consciousness of social injustice, while also celebrating the resilience and power of the human spirit.

"Spike Lee is truly a master storyteller; in both his contemporary and historical films, he uncovers the deep truths and unhealed wounds of the American experience while celebrating our resilience and passion," said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale.

Lee's most recent documentary work, the Peabody-winning masterpiece When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts is considered the documentary of record of the aftermath of Katrina and the courage and tenacity of the people of New Orleans.

As part of the Symposium, SILVERDOCS will screen a series of excerpts from Lee's body of documentary work. Following the screening Lee will be joined on stage by special guests to engage in a discussion of his career.

Past honorees include Barbara Kopple, who was joined by Albert Maysles and Elvis Mitchell in 2005; Martin Scorsese, who engaged in conversation with Jim Jarmusch in 2006; and most recently Jonathan Demme, who was interviewed by NPR's Michel Martin.

The festival is going to be held June 16-23 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, DC area, and has expanded by two days to meet growing demand.

The 2007 Festival featured 100 films from 43 countries presented to over 21,000 attendees.

For more information, you can go to www.silverdocs.com.