Johnny Depp to Receive Award at Film Festival Gala

Johnny Depp will be honored at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which runs from Jan. 1-11, organizers announced Tuesday.

Depp will be presented with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor, during a Jan. 2 gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

“Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile and dynamic actors of our time,” festival Chairman Harold Matzner said.

Matzner cited Depp’s work in “Black Mass,” crediting the 52-year-old actor with a “stunning transformation” that resulted in “a gripping and multi-layered portrait” of Boston-area gangster James “Whitey” Bulger.

“He delivers an astounding performance that has earned raves from both critics and audiences and is sure to garner awards attention,” Matzner said.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival, billed as one of the largest film festivals in North America, drew about 135,000 attendees in 2015.

For more information about the festival, visit psfilmfest.org.

— City News Service.