Los Angeles, Jan 13 - "The Help" star Octavia Spencer is spearheading a short film contest for budding directors.

The 42-year-old is inviting amateurs to create 20-minute films for her new competition.

Spencer will give away a new camera and a $1,000 cash prize to the best of the bunch, and she'll also showcase the winning entry online, reports femalefirst. co. uk.

In a post on her Facebook. com page, Spencer writes: "I was struck this past week when a young filmmaker asked me how I coped when my dreams felt far from my grasp. My answer to her and all of you is I always feel mine are always within reach.

"What many people don't know is that it takes an average of 15 years to become an overnight success. (IANS)