Sneed exclusive: Spike Lee to judge peace photography contest

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The ‘Chiraq’ file . . .

Click. Click. Movie director Spike Lee, who has been shooting his controversial film, “Chiraq,” in locations across the city, is at it again. Sneed is told Lee has inspired and will help judge a peace photo competition to be announced this week by peace priest Rev. Michael Pfleger. The contest involves Chicago’s youth.

“When I first met Spike years ago, he told me about the time he was a kid and didn’t have a summer job,” said Pfleger, who is irritated with those who claim the film’s title is “incendiary.”

“He said this lady then gave him a camera and told him to go around and take pictures. He claims it changed his life. He believes it was the seed that planted him in the film business,” Pfleger added.

“We know we have violence issues, so our plan is to give 300 kids yellow throw-away cameras donated by Walgreens to compete in a contest, snapping pictures focusing only on images of peace,” added Pfleger.

“Just peace. No violence. Five winners, who will receive $500, will be announced at our NBA peace [basketball] tournament at St. Sabina’s on Sept. 19, which stars Joakim Noah and Jabari Parker,” he said.

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The ‘Chiraq’ file II . . .

Meanwhile, the battle over the film’s “Chiraq” title is heating up.

Powerhouse Ald. Will Burns (4^th), who argues the film’s title is detrimental to the inner city’s economic growth, tells Sneed the full City Council Committee on Finance is meeting July 27 to hear opposition to “Chiraq” from major South Side community leaders.

The ‘Chiraq’ file III . . . Expect a sold-out crowd to hear fireworks at the City Club of Chicago on Thursday for a panel discussion on “Chiraq,” which includes Pfleger and Burns.

The Trump touch . . .

There is no doubt Donald Trump, who is trying to position himself as a viable GOP presidential contender, has chutzpah.

• To wit: When the PGA pulled its Grand Slam of Golf on Tuesday set for October at the Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles because of the real estate/reality star’s recent racially charged remarks on Mexican immigrants, Trump issued the following comeback. It would permit him “the time to rebuild the golf course . . . into the course I always wanted it to be.” Amazing.

I spy . . .

Actor Bill Murray was spotted at the Grateful Dead’s final show at Soldier Field, along with former top Obama strategist David Axelrod . . . Singer Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits, dining recently at Gibsons Steakhouse in Rosemont; and actor John Seda, of “Chicago P.D.”, dining at Gibsons on Rush.

Gulp! Is actor Tom Selleck in a spigot mess? A suit has been filed by a drought-stricken southern California municipal water district against the “Blue Bloods” star and his wife, Jillie Mack, whom they allege took truckloads of water from a public hydrant 12 times in 2013 — despite cease-and-desist notices sent to the couple’s two homes.

• Translation: According a report from Courthouse News Service, The Calleguas Municipal Water District is seeking $21,685.55 it paid to an investigator to look into the alleged water theft, as well as an injunction and court costs. Looks like Selleck could use a little help from Magnum, P.I., huh?

Sneedlings . . . Thursday’s birthdays: Tom Hanks, 59; Courtney Love, 51, and Jack White, 40.

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