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News Feature for December 06/January 07 issue on the UK Adult Film Awards.
November the 17th saw the inaugural UK Adult Film Awards at the Hammersmith Palais in London, where several hundred characters from all corners of the industry gathered to celebrate the best of the business. Organised by Phil Black of Redzone Pictures, the planned-to-be-annual show had been touted as the UK version of the AVN Awards, and was sponsored and supported by Strictly Broadband, Your Choice, UK Adult Producers and the BGAFD.
Claims that it may one day rival the Oscars and that there might be mainstream celebrities and film industry people attending had perhaps been over-played, leaving The Guardian, for example, less than impressed. Given some of the displays on stage, it could be argued it may have been for the best that more people from beyond the porn industry weren't there. It wasn't a restrained or particularly dignified affair! Sadly a planned show with actresses modelling DreamGirl and ForePlay lingerie from Lair of Sin(.co.uk) was dropped at the last minute, and the venue caterers' meaty buffet was not to everyone's taste. Phil's own choice of caterer had let him down and missing costumes and choreographer, and an ill twin (either Kit or Kat Lee - hope you're ok) had scuppered the stage show. Nevertheless, in front of a good-natured audience, hosts Ben Dover and Kirsten Williams did a fine job of the impossible; organising other-than-sober presenters and winners into a coherent ceremony. When he was presented with his lifetime achievement award, Ben Dover was moved to soppiness and despite the sound system suffered from girls sucking on microphones, it all ran as smoothly as could be reasonably expected. Certainly Faye Rampton and her bump enjoyed the night, and that's while staying responsibly sober. Something of a highlight were the lads from Dirty Sanchez -who were taking a break from promoting their feature film- adding tattooed nuts and some Valleys attitude to proceedings. It was also fun to see conflicted Palais security try to curtail table-top-based high-jinks by Daisy Rock and Isabel Ice, Cindy and Bozena while taking camera-phone photos. Over thirty etched glass awards were given out to the great and the good (and the good at being bad) over the two and a half hour ceremony and the audience got into the spirit of things with many rapturous rounds of applause for their peers. Particularly for Ben Dover's touching speech and when Alicia Rhodes, on receiving her 'Best Anal Scene' award said, "My mum will be so proud!"
With an after party and public access from 11.30 the bar areas were soon packed, which is more than can be said for the dance floor despite the best attempts of a determined DJ. The chance to meet a couple of dozen adult stars for £10 had brought autograph and photo hunters out and the whole show, complete with several impromptu demonstrations of their art by many of the girls, rolled on 'til 3am.
Speaking to ETO after the event, Black said, "We're pleased with it. There were a couple of glitches and the bad weather didn't work in our favour, with the closing of the tube- But overall, the people involved with the show did well. The awards themselves went reasonably smoothly. For a first attempt, I'm pleased and I don't think it could have been done much better. It's not confirmed yet but we hope Ben Dover will host it again next year, and the Dirty Sanchez lads are keen to work closely with the porn industry again too, so watch this space as far as they're concerned."
Some would have liked to see the voting process more transparent and Phil regrets not naming and thanking the judging panel on the night, but in all the excitement…In spite of relatively low-key promotion that left some initially sceptical as to the event's popularity and thus relevance, and little time to organise the event, it had a great atmosphere and for a first show it was slickly presented. ETO wishes Phil Black and his team well for a 2007 event.
Apologies for any omissions or inaccuracies in the following list, but at the time of writing a confirmed one isn't available. Categories and winners, voted for by a panel of five independent judges, included:
BGAFD Female Performer of the year: Natalie Heck
Best Female Actress of the year: Poppy Morgan
Best Male Actor of the year: Pascal
Best Film: For Your Thighs Only - Doll Theatre, collected by George.
Best Director: Kendo - Erotic Flesh Productions
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ben Dover
Best Softcore Film: Real Euro Couples - One Eye Jack Productions
Best Gay Film: French Heat - Corolo Productions
Best transsexual Film: Jet Set - Fringe Dweller Productions
Best Amateur Film: Viewers Wives 47 - Your Choice Productions
Best Supporting Actress: Susie Best
The Joe Adelman Best Female Newcomer: Kaz B
Best Female Performer in an Amateur Film: Tracy Lain
Best Supporting Male Actor: Mark Sloane
Best Male Newcomer: Keni Styles
Best Female Overseas Actress of the year: Rio Mariah - Pump Action
Best Reality Porn Film: RealPunting II by Jay Kay Production
Best Gonzo Production: Jimslip
Best Online Scene: Jimslip
Most Outrageous Female Performance: Emma-Louise with Jimmy in Circus Extreme
Best Female performer in a Girl/Girl Scene: Donna Marie
Best Female performer in an Anal Scene: Alicia Rhodes
Best Female Actress Blow Job Sex Scene: Sandie Caine
Best Solo scene by a female performer: Donna Marie
Best Actor in a Gay Film: Fernando
Best soundtrack : For your thighs only - Doll theatre
Best script : For your thighs only - Doll theatre
Best packaging: Relish
Best Lighting: Kendo
Best Distributor: Wrist Action Entertainment
Don't read it, download it! : 18+? See photos of the misbehaviour at the event here!