I'm surprised MTV still holds the Video Music Awards considering they don't show music videos any more.  But they hold it every year because you can have the latest music sensation hop on stage to perform and hopefully Kanye West will do something crazy.  It's also an opportunity to promote other aspects of the MTV brand and this year's VMA will be broadcasting the first footage from Gary Ross' adaptation of The Hunger Games.  As we previously reported, the soundtrack will feature a collection of artists so maybe that's the reason to provide the first look during a music ceremony, but it's also just there to boost ratings.

Thankfully, I won't have to sit through the awful broadcast to see the footage.  Immediately after it airs, MTV will put it on their website.  That's when we'll embed it and bring it to you fine people.  The VMAs air this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.  The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and opens March 23, 2012.  Hit the jump for the press release

hunger-games-teaser-poster-01

Here's the press release:

“2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS” TO FEATURE EXCLUSIVE FIRST GLIMPSE AT

HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED FILM “THE HUNGER GAMES”

Jennifer Lawrence to Introduce

The 28 th Annual Awards Show Airing Live From Nokia Theater

In Los Angeles On Sunday, August 28 at 9:00PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT)

New York, NY (August 23, 2011) – MTV today revealed that ravenous fans of THE HUNGER GAMES need not look further than the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” for an exclusive first glimpse at the film that will be introduced by the film's star Jennifer Lawrence (WINTER’S BONE, X MEN FIRST CLASS). The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once existed, THE HUNGER GAMES follows the quest of “Tributes” – one teenage boy and girl chosen from each of the country’s twelve districts – as they compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for the Hunger Games their entire lives, the main character, Katniss, is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Lionsgate will release the film on March 23, 2012.