SCI FI Channel will present the first-ever Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards, in recognition of the best short films made by Star Wars enthusiasts.

Hosted by Kevin Smith, the one-hour special, presented in association with Lucasfilm Ltd. and AtomFilms, will premiere Sunday, May 12 @ 8pm ET/PT, exclusively on SCI FI Channel.

Kevin Smith, filmmaker (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma) and self-proclaimed Star Wars fanatic, will introduce the nominees and present the winning Star Wars-themed spoofs, documentaries and other film tributes.

Star Wars creator George Lucas will make a special guest appearance to announce the film worthy of the night's highest honor - the "George Lucas Selects" award - Lucas' personal fan film favorite.

Other award categories include:

• The Young Jedi Award - bestowed upon the best film made by a director under the age of 18
• The Audience Award - the best film as voted upon by online viewers at www.starwars.atomfilms.com.
• Best Animation
• Best Documentary or Mockumentary

In addition, sneak previews of the new feature Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, will be shown in anticipation of the film's premiere Thursday, May 16.

The Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards was born out of the Star Wars Fan Film Network. The Web site, co-created by Lucasfilm with AtomFilms in November 2000, provides a showcase for fans to display their cinematic odes to Star Wars.

After December 2001, when the two companies issued a call for film entries, more than 200 were submitted. Forty-four were accepted as finalists and posted online for evaluation by millions of viewers. The winning nominees will be officially announced Friday, May 3 at Star Wars Celebration II, the official Star Wars fan convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana May 3 - 5. Footage from this year's Celebration will air as part of the SCI FI special.

For more information about Star Wars, please log on at: www.starwars.com.