Austin Film Festival
Ahoy, Gonzo: Austin Film Festival brings Johnny Depp to Austin
Adding to an impressive roster of guests already confirmed for this year's Austin Film Festival and Conference, it was announced today via the AFF website that actor Johnny Depp will been seen around town this weekend.
For the few for whom the name Johnny Depp doesn't ring a bell, the actor has had a blockbuster career, from his debut in 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street to a four-season stint on 21 Jump Street all the way through a starring role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the box-office-records-shattering Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
AFF will be presenting Depp with its first Extraordinary Contribution to Film - Acting award at the Awards Luncheon held at the Austin Club at 12:15 pm on Saturday, October 22nd. At the same event, Depp will be presenting the Distinguished Screenwriter Award to winner Caroline Thompson, writer of such classic films as Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The pair will join other award winners John Lasseter (Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking) and Hart Hanson (Outstanding Television Writer).
Depp will also be supporting his new film The Rum Diary (which co-stars the Austin-born Amber Heard), screening at the Paramount Theatre on October 21st at 7 p.m. He will introduce the film and will participate in a post-film Q&A.
The film, based on the Hunter S. Thompson novel, tells the story of journalist Paul Kemp (Depp), who escapes New York for a job writing in Puerto Rico where his rum-assisted adventures lead him into a moral dilemma involving an American entrepreneur's (Aaron Eckhart) shady business dealings and the businessman's fiancée (Heard).
Following The Rum Diaries, Depp will be joined by Caroline Thompson for a special retrospective screening of Edward Scissorhands at 9:45 p.m. at the Paramount.
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For up to date information about the festival, check the Austin Film Festival website and for the latest film schedule, films and times are posted on Festival Genius.