After a live conversation with Johnny Depp, AFI Fest 2005 will host the world premiere of the Depp-starring The Libertine.

By Mark Umbach

The AFI Fest 2005 has selected Oscar-nominated actor Johnny Depp as this year’s Tributee. The Fest’s Tribute to Johnny Depp will take place on November 11 at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. Following the tribute, the Fest will host the world premiere screening of the latest Depp effort, The Libertine, co-starring John Malkovich and Samantha Morton and marking the feature directing debut of Laurence Dunmore.

“Our challenge each year in choosing a tributee is to find someone who is a highly accomplished artist about whom we crave to know more,” said Christian Gaines, Director of AFI Fest. “Johnny Depp is such an artist. He has made interesting, risky choices in his career and has evolved into one of the most absorbing actors of our time.”

Depp will make a rare public appearance during the Fest in a live conversation with film critic and author Richard Shickel. As part of the Tribute, the Fest will screen a montage of Depp’s career with an in-depth look at various clips from throughout his career. In addition, the Fest will screen a retrospective of four Depp films during the course of the Festival, including Dead Man, Edward Scissorhands, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?.

“Johnny is a brilliant and truly unique actor, whose remarkable career has been defined by its diversity and veracity. The originality of both the characters he has portrayed, and the films he has made, further emphasize his integrity and passion,” noted Libertine helmer Dunmore. “I am delighted Johnny is being honored by AFI Fest.”

Over the course of his career, Depp built a cult following with films such as Cry Baby and Edward Scissorhands. He went on to become a respected dramatic and comedic actor starring in films such as Ed Wood, Donnie Brasco, Chocolat and Blow, among others. More recently, his turns in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Finding Neverland earned him Academy Award nominations. Those films also earned him Golden Globe nods, as did Ed Wood, Benny & Joon and Edward Scissorhands.

FilmStew.com