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HONOURED: Spike Lee

MORE THAN two decades after the release of his debut film Do The Right Thing, director Spike Lee will receive an honorary Oscar for his "outstanding work" to the film industry at this year's ceremony.

"The Board is proud to recognise our honorees' remarkable contributions at this year's Governors Awards," Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said. She added that the artists were being celebrated for their "passion, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference."

Lee, a graduate of New York University's film school, earned his first Oscar nomination for the racially-charged Do the Right Thing in 1989 and another nod for his documentary feature, 4 Little Girls.

To some figures in the industry, the honour is long overdue for the accomplished director, who has never won the coveted prize despite his major works being celebrated in both black and pop culture.

Speaking to the LA Times, Lee said: "This came out of nowhere, but that's how blessings often come, I'm very happy and humbled."

Currently Lee is working on his first Netflix release called Chi-Raq, which has been subject to criticisms including the accusation that it trivialises the gun violence in Chicago.

Beyond making acclaimed films, Lee has been imparting his knowledge and experience as the artistic director of the graduate film program at NYU.

He will be joined by veteran actress Gena Rowland and Debbie Reynolds as fellow honourees at the Academy's 7th annual Governors Awards on Saturday, November 14, in Los Angeles