The First Look Student Film Section is an exclusive selection of short films reserved for outstanding student filmmakers from around the world. Started in 2000 as a stand-alone event and dubbed by The Denver Post as "arguably the best niche festival in Denver," First Look focuses on finding the brightest new talents in cinema and bringing them and their works to Colorado. The films in this category offer a rare and exciting glimpse into the hearts and minds of the great filmmakers of tomorrow. Founders and curators Wade Gardner and Joshua Weinberg continue to personally review and select all films for the program. ITo celebrate, the talent being developed in educational environments the Starz Denver Film Festival is honored to present the annual Spike Lee Student Filmmaker Award to a jury selected film in this section. After receiving a degree from Morehouse College with a BA in communication, Lee enrolled at NYU. Upon completing the graduate degree film program, he won a Student Academy Award for his short Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, which was also the first student film ever selected for the distinguished New Directors/New Film Series in New York City. Those accomplishments led to a heralded filmmaking career that makes Mr. Lee an inspiration to film students. It is with much pride that we present this annual award in his name to a deserving filmmaker.