(CNN) Spike Lee will serve as jury president for the upcoming 73rd annual Cannes Film Festival.

The writer/director/actor/producer is the first black person to hold the prestigious position in the festival's history.

"In this life I have lived, my biggest blessings have been when they arrived unexpected, when they happened out of nowhere," Lee said in a statement. "When I got the call that I was offered the opportunity to be President of Cannes Jury for 2020, I was shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time."

Lee's history with the international festival dates back more than 30 years.

In 1986, his debut film , "She's Gotta Have It," won him the festival's Youth Prize for best young director.

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