Women filmmakers denounce Spanish cinema prize for Depp

Spain’s most high-profile group of female filmmakers has denounced the San Sebastian film festival’s decision to award Johnny Depp its highest honor for acting

MADRID -- Spain's leading group of women filmmakers on Tuesday condemned the San Sebastian film festival’s decision to award Johnny Depp its highest honor, saying it gave the international event a bad name after a British judge ruled last year that allegations of domestic violence against the actor were “substantially correct". Cristina Andreu, the President of Spain's Association of Female Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media, said she was “very surprised” by the decision, announced Monday, to award Depp the Donostia Award at the festival’s 69th edition next month. The award is the event's top prize and aims to honor lifetime achievement. “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 told The Associated Press. The association, which has close links to the San Sebastian festival, was “studying next steps,” she added.