Johnny Depp has branded his Hollywood career "sometimes tragic"

Johnny was being honoured at the event in London's Porchester Hall on Thursday (04.07.24) for his role in French historical drama 'Jeanne du Barry', in which he portrayed King Louis XV - marking Depp's first major role since winning his high-profile defamation case against his 38-year-old actress ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022.

A pre-recorded video played during the ceremony showed Johnny accepting the Global Contribution to Motion Picture award, and he said: "Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak to you today. I feel very lucky, and I feel very honoured that you - all of you - allow me to still continue to do the work that I love to do.

"It's always especially humbling when recognition for your endeavours comes directly from the hearts of the people, the hearts and minds who've joined me on this long mystical, magical, sometimes tragic - yet never boring journey.

"I can't thank you all enough for continuing to allow me to tell the stories that I feel are necessary to be told.

"And for having stuck with me and my curious collection of characters over these many years."

Johnny also expressed gratitude to his fans, saying they are the reason he still feels "the drive to keep pushing forward".

He added: "It's only because of you that I'm here today. I thank you and I send you much love and respect, always."

At the same awards ceremony, the Amy Winehouse biopic 'Back to Black' won Best Drama, while Adam Deacon, 41, received the Best Actor award for 'Sumotherhood', and Patricia Hodge, 77, was awarded Best Actress for her role in 'Arthur's Whisky'.

Run by the National Film Academy, the National Film Awards has been held in the UK for the past decade.