Oh, awards season. Red carpets. Impressions. Parties. Best actress contenders post nude selfies to potential voters.
The mainstream media pays little attention to it, but now, in early January, the adult film world is in a frenzy of preparation for the Adult Video News Awards, the porn version of the Oscars. And while there are plenty of differences between the Oscars and the AVNs—for example, categories that extend far beyond Best Actor and Actress to Best Group Sex Scene, Best Oral Sex Scene, and some categories that couldn't be published in a family magazine—there are quite a few similarities.
“Oh, there are a lot of parallels,” notes Brian S. Gross, a veteran adult industry publicist. “There's definitely a campaign going on to try to step up and win awards. Companies are holding 'For Your Consideration' events and showcasing their work. Publicists are writing press releases and submitting them to adult sites – much like what studios do with Hollywood Reporter. Almost everything that happens during Oscar season happens here.”
Victor Rey (left) with Ryan Reed as she accepts the award for Best Blowbang Scene at AVN 2025.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The AVN Awards have been around since the 1980s—the golden age of VHS porn—and, like the Oscars, they've helped launch major careers (Jenna Jameson, Sasha Grey), suffered their share of controversies (like when Andy Dick was kicked out of the ceremony) and spawned plenty of imitators (the XMA Awards, sometimes called the Golden Globes of porn).
As with the Oscars, the nominees are determined by a high-profile panel of professionals—or at least the people who write and publish the articles. Video news for adultsThe industry's main profession, although there are fan-voted categories, such as Favorite Body, which are open to virtually anyone with an iPhone. This helps explain why around this time of year, some social media feeds are flooded with racy posts FYI from adult stars vying for votes.
This year's big night will take place on January 24th at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas (impossible to make this up). “If you win,” Gross says, summing up the benefits of any prize trophy, “that means you can ask for more money. You can raise your bet.”
***
Also on Rambling Reporter:
TPP looks in free application which depicts every public restroom and drinking fountain in Los Angeles; Brigitte Bardot was not the only legend of old French cinema who have far-right politics.
This story appeared in the January 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.
