Art Directors Guild Unveils 2026 Award Nominees for Excellence

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) has revealed the nominees for the 2026 Excellence in Production Design Awards. This annual event recognizes outstanding production design across various mediums, including film, television, commercials, music videos, and animated films. The awards aim to honor the artists whose creative contributions significantly impact visual storytelling.

Among the nominees for feature films, notable productions include Frankenstein, featuring production designer Tamara Deverell, and Wicked: For Good with designer Nathan Crowley. Other recognized films include Marty Supreme, F1, and One Battle After Another. In the television category, popular series such as The Gilded Age, The Last of Us, and Stranger Things have garnered nominations, showcasing the breadth of creativity in the industry.

In a statement, Dina Lipton, president of the Art Directors Guild, expressed pride in celebrating 30 years of the Excellence in Production Design Awards. “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,” she said.

The event will also present Lifetime Achievement Awards to esteemed individuals in the field. Honorees include production designer and director Bo Welch, set designer and art director Jann Engel, production designer and illustrator Tom Southwell, and scenic artist Stephen McNally. Their contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of production design.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 28, 2026, at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. This year’s event promises to be a celebration of creativity and innovation in production design, reflecting the evolving landscape of the industry.

Nominees Across Categories

The full list of nominees highlights a diverse range of productions. In the feature film category, the following are recognized for their exceptional work:

**Period Feature Film:**
– Frankenstein – Production Designer: Tamara Deverell
– Hamnet – Production Designer: Fiona Crombie
– Marty Supreme – Production Designer: Jack Fisk

**Fantasy Feature Film:**
– Avatar: Fire and Ash – Production Designers: Dylan Cole, Ben Procter
– Wicked: For Good – Production Designer: Nathan Crowley

**Contemporary Feature Film:**
– Bugonia – Production Designer: James Price
– F1 – Production Designers: Ben Munro, Mark Tildesley

**Animated Feature Film:**
– Zootopia 2 – Production Designer: Cory Loftis
– The Bad Guys 2 – Production Designer: Luc Desmarchelier

In the television categories, nominees reflect both new series and established favorites. Shows like Pluribus, Severance, and Monster: The Ed Gein Story are among those recognized for their artistic vision.

The nominees for music videos have also garnered attention, with artists such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter showcasing their artistic collaborations. Swift’s video for The Fate of Ophelia, Gaga’s Abracadabra, and Carpenter’s Tears are among the highlighted productions.

As the awards ceremony approaches, anticipation builds within the industry. The ADG continues to play a pivotal role in acknowledging the artistry that enhances storytelling across various platforms. The Excellence in Production Design Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also reflect the collaborative spirit that defines the creative process.