Hollywood actor Johnny Depp will be awarded the Gold Medal of Merit of the Republic of Serbia, for his exceptional contributions to the country’s continued efforts to enhance and expand its local community of artists, the Iervolino Studios animation company said on Friday.

The Belgrade-based company said that Depp will receive the medal on Serbian Statehood Day, February 15.

A press release recalled that Depp was in Belgrade in October 2021 to promote the animated series PUFFINS IMPOSSIBLE, developed in Serbia and created by Iervolino Studios (IES) and produced by Archangel Digital Studios (ADS).

“Johnny Depp’s leading role and active participation in the promotion of PUFFINS IMPOSSIBLE helped leverage Serbia’s artistic strengths among the global filmmaking industry,” it said, recalling his remarks on the country’s creativity and the professionalism of its local artists.