The Art Directors Guild (ADG), IATSE Local 800 (ADG 800) 30th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards will take place on February 28, 2026, at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. The event will be produced by Megan Elizabeth Bell, Michael Allen Glover, and Tom Wilkins. 

Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Bo Welch (Production Designer, Director), Jann Engel (Set Designer, Art Director), Tom Southwell  (Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Production Designer), and Stephen McNally (Scenic Artist), in recognition of their exceptional contributions and lasting impact on their respective disciplines. 

“As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Excellence in Production Design Awards, we celebrate not just the outstanding achievements of the past year, but also three decades of visionary artistry that have defined the visual storytelling of film and television.” Dina Lipton, President of the Art Directors Guild. “This milestone honors the Art Directors, Illustrators, Storyboard Artists, Set Designers, Scenic and Graphic Artists and all of the creative minds who work in the art department and continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.”

“This 30th Annual ADG Awards marks a meaningful moment in our industry’s history, as we recognize the remarkable creativity and innovation that drive production design forward. We’re honored to gather the creative community to celebrate this year’s standout work across film, television, and beyond—and to pay homage to the legendary artists whose lifelong contributions have helped shape the art and craft of our profession,” said Megan Elizabeth Bell, Michael Allen Glover, and Tom Wilkins, Producers of the upcoming ADG Awards.

Bo Welch, Production Designer

The Art Directors (AD) Council will honor Bo Welch, an Oscar®-nominated production designer known for iconic films including Beetlejuice, Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, Men in Black, The Birdcage, and the TV show A Series of Unfortunate Events. Welch’s long-standing creative collaborations with directors such as Tim Burton, Mike Nichols, and Barry Sonnenfeld have resulted in some of the most visually imaginative films of the past three decades. 

“Bo Welch is a visionary whose work has helped define the aesthetic of modern fantasy and science fiction. His fearless imagination and unmistakable design sensibility have brought to life some of cinema’s most iconic worlds—from the surreal landscapes of Edward Scissorhands to the stylized chaos of Men in Black. Bo’s enduring collaborations with directors like Tim Burton and Barry Sonnenfeld speak to the trust and admiration he’s earned throughout his career. We are thrilled to celebrate his legacy and extraordinary contributions to the art of production design,” said Michael Allen Glover, Chair of the Art Directors Council.

Jann Engel, Art Director and Set Designer

The Set Designer & Model Maker (SDMM) Council will recognize Jann Engel, who has enjoyed a groundbreaking career and is the proud winner of two ADG Awards for Art Direction.

Over the past three decades, Engel has worked on more than 75 productions, including Memoirs of a Geisha, Mars Attacks!, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Legends of the Fall, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as well as acclaimed films like Road to Perdition, Addams Family Values and the mini-series The Offer. Her work has contributed to numerous Academy Award®, BAFTA, and ADG Award-winning productions.

“Jann Engel’s remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the art of visual storytelling. Her work on some of the most ambitious and visually compelling films of our time—ranging from award-winning dramas to epic blockbusters—reflects a rare blend of creativity, precision, and leadership. Jann’s contributions have helped shape the language of contemporary cinema, while her mentorship, service, and dedication to sustainability continue to elevate our community. It is a true honor to recognize her with the Art Directors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Tim Croshaw, Chair of the Set Designers & Model Makers Council.

Tom Southwell, Production Designer, Storyboard Artist, Illustrator

The Illustrators and Matte Artists (IMA) Council will recognize Tom Southwell for his excellence in production design, storyboarding, and illustration. His contributions to major studio projects, including Blade Runner, X-Men, and Disturbia, served as a critical bridge between script and screen. Projects including Navy Seals and Arachnophobia led him to City Slickers, where he formed a long-standing creative partnership with director Ron Underwood on the films Heart and Souls, Speechless and Mighty Joe Young.

“With a career spanning decades and a portfolio that includes some of the most iconic films of our time, Tom Southwell has been instrumental in shaping the visual storytelling of countless major studio productions. His ability to translate words on a page into dynamic, cinematic imagery has made him an indispensable collaborator to directors and production designers alike. Tom’s work exemplifies the power of illustration in bridging script and screen, and we are proud to recognize his outstanding contributions with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Matthew Cunningham, ADG Illustrators and Matte Artists Council Chair.

Stephen McNally, Scenic Artist 

The Scenic, Title & Graphic Artists (STG) Council will honor Stephen McNally, a scenic artist renowned for his decades of creative contributions to feature films such as Anna and the King, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, What Dreams May Come, Flubber and the TV show, Trauma. He has also spent 15 years building and painting scenery for the San Francisco Opera; Don Giovani being his favorite.  He has a longstanding dedication to the scenic artist community including his association with San Francisco based Island Creative Management.

“Stephen McNally has spent his career honing and sharing the craft of scenic art, and his extraordinary command of classical scenic techniques has elevated both period and contemporary productions across stage and screen. His work reflects a deep respect for tradition while embracing the evolving demands of modern storytelling. Beyond his artistry, Stephen has been a dedicated mentor and advocate for the scenic artist community—sharing his knowledge generously and helping to shape the next generation of talent. We are proud to celebrate his lasting impact with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Sarah Gonzalez, STG Council Chair.

About The Art Directors Guild

The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) members design the worlds where stories live. From enchanted kingdoms to the streets of today, our members craft the environments that bring film, television, and theater to life. Representing over 3,000 artists, including Production Designers and Art Directors, Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists, Set Designers and Model Makers, Illustrators, Storyboard and Matte Artists. The ADG is dedicated to fostering creativity, promoting education, ensuring safety, and advancing the future of our crafts.

Originally established in 1937, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society screening series, the annual “Excellence in Production Design Awards” gala, a bimonthly magazine PERSPECTIVE, as well as a robust education program. For the Art Director Guild’s online directory and resources, please visit www.adg.org

30th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards Producing Team

Megan Elizabeth Bell is a Production Designer whose work spans film, television, and advertising. A member of the Art Directors Guild, United Scenic Artists, and the Television Academy, she has contributed to the 27th–29th Annual Art Directors Guild Awards. Her work on the Oscar-nominated short A LIEN highlights her storytelling through design.  Meg’s television work includes designing Season 2 of HBO’s It’s Florida, Man, a late-night comedy series. Her feature credits include American Murderer (dir. Matthew Gentile), Out of the Blue (dir. Neil LaBute), and You Should Have Left (dir. David Koepp). In advertising, her commercial work includes campaigns for Geico, Hulu, Verizon, Audible, and Lyft.

Michael Allen Glover is a Supervising Art Director working in Television and Film. As well as a member of the Television Academy, he is a 13 year member of the Art Directors Guild, currently serving as the Art Directors Craft Council Chair and Board Member. He has produced the Annual Art Directors Guild Awards for the past 4 years, from the 26th to this year’s 30th. His professional work spans from television productions like Station Eleven, The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, Landman, The Morning Show & the upcoming Netflix series The Boroughs as well as the films The Secret in Their Eyes and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In commercials he has worked on campaigns for brands including Target, Spotify, Samsung and Old Navy.

Tom Wilkins has been working in the entertainment business for over 30 years across all live action platforms as a production designer and art director. His credits include such films as: Go, Fargo, Men in Black 2, Spiderman 2, the first season of Snowpiercer and the live action version of Mulan and the third season of The Morning Show as well as designing many commercials. He has enjoyed being involved with his craft guild, the Art Directors Guild previously holding the position as Secretary of the ADG. He has co-produced the Art Directors Guild annual awards show six times advancing the profile of the guild industry wide.