By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Life will imitate art when Mr. Smith really go to Washington (as the title of the James Stewart 1939 film classic stated).

Box office superstar and Academy Award nominee Will Smith will head to the nation's capitol to speak at a conference next week.

Presented by The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the event, titled 'Business of Show Business,' is designed to educate and inform policymakers and others through a series of panels and high-profile speakers about the value of the U.S. motion picture business and its contribution to the U.S. economy.

Recently nominated for an Academy Award (in the Best Actor category for his role in the 'The Pursuit of Happyness'), the former 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' star will be the featured speaker at Feb. 6 breakfast program that will kick off the conference.

"Will Smith is one of the brightest stars of the motion picture industry, and we are thrilled he will join us for what will be an exciting and informative day here in the nation's capital," MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman said in a statement. "The American motion picture industry is known as a creative force around the world because of talented individuals like Will Smith. What is less well known is that the industry is also an economic engine that brings billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to communities across America."

The event will also feature remarks from Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton; Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; and a presentation by students from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

BV Extras:

-- MAN 2 MAN: BV's very own Ken Gibbs, Jr. talked to Chris Gardner before the hype.

-- STILL FRESH: Will Smith has career evolution indeed. Check out his growth in this BV Photo Gallery.