Santa Barbara fest hails Depp

Johnny Depp, contender for an Academy Award nomination for his role as gangster Whitey Bulger in “Black Mass,” will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award from the 31st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, organizers announced Wednesday.

The award, renamed to honor film critic and festival moderator Leonard Maltin, is the event’s highest accolade. Depp will receive the award Feb. 6. The festival will take place Feb. 3-13.