Fez – Johnny Depp took the stage at the third Saudi Film Confex with a talk titled “The Genius of Embodying Different Roles,” offering attendees a close look at how he builds characters and navigates a four-decade career. 

He framed Saudi Arabia as “vibrant, young, and full of promise,” describing a film ecosystem where people “create because they truly love it.” The session was moderated by Saudi actress and director Fatima Al-Banawi.

Depp touched on early insecurities and the value of honesty over image, telling the audience that doubts can sharpen the work rather than derail it. He also revisited the origin of his Captain Jack Sparrow performance, recalling initial resistance from studio executives and the importance of trusting one’s instincts when a creative choice feels true. 

The conversation, which mixed career anecdotes with craft notes, underscored a larger message aimed at emerging talent: passion first, validation later.

This year’s Confex, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission, runs October 22–25 in Riyadh and positions itself as a deal-making and knowledge hub for the regional industry. 

Under the patronage of Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the third edition convenes filmmakers, producers, distributors, and investors for keynotes, workshops, and an exhibition floor geared toward partnerships and skills development. 

Organizers bill the event as a platform to connect international best practices with local opportunity.

Depp’s participation signals the Confex’s growing pull with global names as Saudi Arabia accelerates investment in production infrastructure, incentives, and training. 

For North African creatives — including Moroccan producers, writers, and below-the-line talent — the Riyadh gathering doubles as a regional market where co-production ideas, festival strategies, and streamer commissioning trends can be tested against practical financing and distribution advice.

Beyond headline appearances, the conference’s day-to-day value rests in its workshops and networking corridors — spaces where emerging directors and technicians can compare notes on everything from casting and guild standards to post-production pipelines suited to Gulf and Maghreb shoots. 

In that context, Depp’s masterclass lands as a marquee draw that also points back to fundamentals: character work, discipline, and a willingness to make brave choices on and off set.