Art Directors Guild Announces Owen Benjamin as Host of ADG Awards

Comedian Owen Benjamin returns to host the 20th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards (#ADGawards) presented by DXV by American Standard, for the third year on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton. The announcement came today by the Art Director's Council Chairperson Marcia Hinds and Awards Producer Thomas Wilkins.

Owen Benjamin is a regular on the TBS hit comedy series Sullivan & Son and has been featured on many popular television programs such as Chelsea Lately, Gotham Comedy Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Punk?d and The Jay Leno Show. Owen recently appeared on episodes of Inside Amy Schumer, Trevor Moore: High in Church and The Soul Man. Owen?s standup comedy specials include High Five ?til It Hurts and Comedy Central Presents Owen Benjamin. Feature credits include All?s Faire in Love (2009) and The House Bunny (2008).

Benjamin?s numerous talents range from writing, directing and producing television shows including Gaytown, Owen Benjamin Presents and That?s My Daughter. Additional writing credits include Splitting Hairs (2012), Couldn?t Be Better (2012), Comedy Central Presents (2010) and All-Stars (2009).

Benjamin has performed stand up at the Aspen, Montreal and Chicago Comedy Festivals, alongside comedians Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, as well as performances at countless clubs and universities.

As previously announced, Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne will be the first to receive ADG?s newly created William Cameron Menzies Award for championing classic motion pictures. Four legendary women ? Production Designer Carmen Dillon, Production and Costume Designer Patricia Norris, Production Designer and Illustrator Dorothea Holt Redmond and Art Director and Set Designer Dianne Wager - will be inducted into the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Hall of Fame. Also announced, Oscar-winning Production Designer Patrizia von Brandenstein has been voted this year?s recipient of the ADG Council?s Lifetime Achievement honor. The additional Lifetime Achievement Awards honorees from the other crafts - Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists - will be announced in the near future.

Co-Producers of this year's ADG Awards are Production Designers James Pearse Connelly and Judy Cosgrove. Nominations for this year?s ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards will be announced on January 5, 2016. The ADG will present winners in 11 competitive categories for theatrical films, television productions, commercials and music videos on January 31, 2016. A recipient of the Guild?s Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award will be announced in the upcoming months.

The presenting sponsor for the 20th Annual Awards is DXV by American Standard. Media sponsors for the ADG Awards are The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and SHOOTonline.

ABOUT THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD:
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,300 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG?s ongoing activities include a Film Society, an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design), a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild?s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Connect with the Art Directors Guild on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.