Johnny Depp’s San Sebastian Festival Award Sparks Controversy with Female Filmmakers



Johnny Depp has garnered immense support from hundreds of thousands of fans across the world during his ongoing troubles with ex-wife Amber Heard, but not everyone is on his side. Recently, it was announced that the embattled actor would be honored with the Donostia Award at the 69th annual San Sebastian film festival next month. Many have applauded the decision to give Johnny Depp the festival’s highest honor, but others have been crying foul.

Per the Associated Press, some Spanish female filmmakers are none too happy about Depp’s award. They argue that honoring the actor gives the San Sebastian film festival a bad name following a British judge’s controversial ruling that ex-wife Amber Heard’s allegations of domestic violence were “substantially true.” Cristina Andreu, the President of Spain’s Association of Female Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media, told the Associate Press that she was “very surprised” by the announcement.

RELATED: Johnny Depp Will Receive the Donostia Award at Sam Sebastian Film Festival

“This speaks very badly of the festival and its leadership, and transmits a terrible message to the public: ‘It doesn’t matter if you are an abuser as long as you are a good actor’,” Andreu said, adding that the association, which has close ties to the festival, was “studying next steps.”

The San Sebastian International Film Festival is hosted in northern Spain. This year, it’s scheduled to take place between Sept. 17-25. The expectation is that Depp will personally appear to receive the award at the festival on Sept. 22, which would mark his third appearance at the event. It seems possible that these plans could change if Andreu follows through on pulling some strings behind the scenes to get Depp’s award rescinded.

Depp has long been one of the world’s most popular actors, but his career took a sharp left turn when ex-wife Amber Heard alleged that he had physically abused her during their marriage. When the allegations were fresh, Depp lost his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. Depp’s lawyers have since released evidence that has seemingly swayed public opinion mostly in his favor, including audio recordings and police body cam footage that seem to contradict Heard’s accusations.

Last year, Depp lost a libel lawsuit against a British tabloid that referred to him as a “wife beater” based on the allegations. Depp appealed the decision but suffered another big blow when the appeal was tossed in March, with the British court claiming that the attempt to overturn the ruling had “no real prospect of success.” To make matters worse for Depp, he was immediately asked by Warner Bros. to resign from his role in Fantastic Beasts 3. Minamata director Andrew Levitas also says MGM is burying the movie’s release due to Depp’s involvement.

Meanwhile, the legal drama between Depp and Heard still isn’t over, as he has a separate $50 million libel case against her directly in the United States. The trial has been delayed until April 2022, but should Depp get a positive outcome that time, things might finally turn back around for his career. In the meantime, fans are continuing to rally behind the actor using the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp. This news comes to us from The Associated Press.

https://t.co/76N8qvgi7J

You can view the original article HERE.

Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Guarantees Travis Hunter Will Be No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Guarantees Travis Hunter Will Be No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft
Tristan Thompson Takes Lead Role in A.I. Company for Sports Broadcasting
Tristan Thompson Takes Lead Role in A.I. Company for Sports Broadcasting
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
“Yellowjackets” Finally Gets Its Bite Back With Season Three | TV/Streaming
“Yellowjackets” Finally Gets Its Bite Back With Season Three | TV/Streaming
‘Emilia Pérez’ Is Like a Trojan Horse & Hollywood Liberals Fell Right for It
‘Emilia Pérez’ Is Like a Trojan Horse & Hollywood Liberals Fell Right for It
Everything We Know About the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Anime Remake
Everything We Know About the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Anime Remake
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
Drake to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival 2025
Drake to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival 2025
Team behind Drumsheds and Printworks to open new South London venue
Team behind Drumsheds and Printworks to open new South London venue
I truly am coming to gag
I truly am coming to gag
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Silver: Mavs owners didn’t have ‘ulterior motives’ with Doncic trade
Silver: Mavs owners didn’t have ‘ulterior motives’ with Doncic trade
Kerr: ‘I don’t blame’ KD for not wanting to return to Warriors
Kerr: ‘I don’t blame’ KD for not wanting to return to Warriors
Stroman reports to Yankees camp after delayed arrival: ‘Ready to roll’
Stroman reports to Yankees camp after delayed arrival: ‘Ready to roll’
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
Did Netflix Ruin ‘A Different World’ With A.I.?
Did Netflix Ruin ‘A Different World’ With A.I.?
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 13 Spoilers: Kevin-Centric Teases Ruzwater Return & Dark Secrets
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 13 Spoilers: Kevin-Centric Teases Ruzwater Return & Dark Secrets
Tom Holland’s Best Performance Came in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller
Tom Holland’s Best Performance Came in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion
SUPERBOWL PHOTO DIARY: Katie Austin Takes on Super Bowl LIX with Fitness, Fashion, and Unforgettable Moments
SUPERBOWL PHOTO DIARY: Katie Austin Takes on Super Bowl LIX with Fitness, Fashion, and Unforgettable Moments
The Future of New York Fashion: WÀNGDA’s Rise and Reinvention of Tailoring
The Future of New York Fashion: WÀNGDA’s Rise and Reinvention of Tailoring