Spike Lee, President of the Jury at the 73rd Festival de Cannes

The American director Spike Lee is to serve as President of the Jury at the next Festival de Cannes. He becomes the first Black person to lead the jury.

At 62, the filmmaker, who is also a screenwriter, actor, editor and producer, has made numerous films that have become cult objects, and he brought the questions and contentious issues of the times to contemporary cinema. But he’s never lost sight of the public, setting out to raise their awareness of his causes in film after film.

Surrounded by his Jury, which will be announced in mid-April, Spike Lee will award the Palme d'or at the close of the 73rd edition, which will take place from 12 to 23 May 2020.

Cory Booker running for re-election to the U.S. Senate

Moments after telling supporters that he would be suspending his presidential campaign, Cory Booker filed for re-election to the U.S. Senate where he has served since 2013.

Booker filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday in order to start raising money for the November election.

The Senator does face a primary challenge from progressive activist Lawrence Hamm, who is chair of Bernie Sanders’ New Jersey presidential campaign.

Booker is expected to win the endorsement of all 21 Democratic county organizations in New Jersey, and is the overwhelming favorite to win renomination.

The filing deadline is March 30 and the New Jersey primary is June 2.

Cory Booker ends presidential campaign

Today NJ Senator Cory Booker ended his 2020 presidential campaign. He released the following statement via Twitter:

It’s with a full heart that I share this news—I’m suspending my campaign for president.

To my team, supporters, and everyone who gave me a shot—thank you. I am so proud of what we built, and I feel nothing but faith in what we can accomplish together.

Regina King wins Critics Choice Award for her role in HBO’s Watchmen

Let’s just come out and say it. Regina King is one of the most talented actors of this or any other generation, and she had a storage unit full of awards to prove it.

King took home another award last night by winning the Best Actress in a Drama Series category at the 25th annual Critics Choice Awards. She won for her role as Angela Abar/Sister Night in the HBO series Watchmen.

This is Regina King’s 3rd Critics Choice Award. She has won previously for her work in the movie If Beale Street Could Talk and the television series American Crime.

When They See Us wins Critics Choice Award for best limited series

Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us won the Best Limited Series category at the 25th annual Critics Choice Awards.

Jharrel Jerome also won a Critics Choice award for his tropy case for his turn as Korey Wise but DuVernay’s speech in which she thanked the association for ‘Finally letting us take the stage’ was one of the nights highlights. Check it out below:

"Let a Black Woman do her thing." @Ava. Watch Ava's full Acceptance Speech after winning the #CriticsChoice Award for Best Limited Series for #WhenTheySeeUs. Congrats! pic.twitter.com/gMEVVIYdNR

— ARRAY (@ARRAYNow) January 13, 2020