Outfest to Honor Director Adam Shankman With Visionary Award

Director Adam Shankman will be honored by Outfest, the Los Angeless organization which promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film, when the group presents him with its Visionary Award at its annual Legacy Awards ceremony at the DGA Theater on Oct. 20.

The event, a fundraiser for the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration between Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, also will present its Guardian Award to Lifetime Networks.

Shankman, who has directed such films as Bringing Down the House, Hairspray and the upcoming Rock of Ages and TV episodes of Glee and Modern Family, is being recognized for his contribution to LGBT arts and media visibility.

“Adam Shankman’s body of work has been inspirational and meaningful to so many in our community. From directing films and TV shows like Hairspray, Glee and Prop 8: The Musical, to his choreography in everything from Tank Girl to Boogie Nights, Adam’s singular achievements have had a profound impact on the LGBT community and make him an ideal recipient of the Visionary Award,” Kirsten Schaffer, Outfest executive director, said. 

Lifetime is being honored for “the network’s commitment, support and positive depictions of LGBT characters and individuals.”

“Lifetime reaches a vast mainstream audience, making it one of the gay community’s most valuable allies,” Schaffer added. “Through both its scripted and unscripted programming, including: Prayers for Bobby, Project Runway and Drop Dead Diva, Lifetime offers richly diverse portrayals of LGBT people that help Americans better understand and accept our community.”