(Rather than nominees for this category, contenders are chosen from the winners in the "Best Release" categories such as Best Gonzo Release, Best Vignette and several others.[1] Voting is conducted separately just prior to the awards ceremony.)[15]
Other actresses in the voting were: Anikka Albrite, Serena Ali, A.J. Applegate, Aria Arial, Bridgette B., Briella Bounce, Amy Brooke, Mischa Brooks, Julie Cash, Felicia Clover, Dani Daniels, Sophie Dee, Nikki Delano, Kelly Divine, Alexis Ford, Tara Lynn Foxx, Gracie Glam, Mia Gold, Allie Haze, Jayden James, Sara Jay, Karmen Karma, Katja Kassin, London Keyes, Kiera King, Remy LaCroix, Lea Lexis, Lia Lor, Kendra Lust, Krissy Lynn, Mia Malkova, Missy Martinez, Maserati, Jynx Maze, Holly Michaels, Karlie Montana, Jade Nacole, Maddy O'Reilly, Anita Peida, Kristina Rose, Katie St. Ives, Sheena Shaw, Siri, Sarah Shevon, Rachel Starr, Gia Steel, Jada Stevens, Jodi Taylor & Sarah Vandella
Additional Award Winners
These awards were not presented during the awards ceremony itself but were announced before or after the show. In addition, Best 3D Release, Best Classic Release and Best Selling Title of the Year were on the list of award categories[7] but were not presented in 2014.
Video Categories
Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene: Gracie Glam, Mia Malkova & Raven Rockette (Meow! 3)
Best All-Girl Release:Meow! 3
Best All-Girl Series:Belladonna: No Warning
Best All-Sex Release:Slutty and Sluttier 18
Best Amateur Release:100% Real Swingers: Meet the Rileys
Best Amateur Series:College Rules
Best Anal Release:Wet Asses 2
Best Anal Series:Evil Anal
Best Art Direction:Underworld
Best Big Bust Release:Bra Busters 4
Best Big Bust Series:Big and Real
Best Big Butt Release:Big Wet Asses 22
Best Big Butt Series:Phat Ass White Girls
Best Cinematography: Francois Clousot (Underworld)
Best Web Premiere:Public Disgrace 31515 (Kink.com)
Honorary AVN Awards
The Reuben Sturman Award for battling for industry rights was not presented in 2014.
Visionary Award
Wicked Pictures founder Steve Orenstein was chosen to receive the third annual Visionary Award for "ethics, civic responsibility, an eye for quality and innovation, and a compassionate understanding of adult entertainment and its place in mainstream society".[1][16]
Hall of Fame
The AVN Awards Hall of Fame inductees, "all of whom have attained not only longevity but also something more important: memorable achievements in front of the camera, behind the camera and back in the office," for 2014 were:[17]
Founders Branch: Kevin Beechum, founder of content production/distribution company K-Beech; Ted Blitt, founder of Mile High Media; Morty Gordon, founder of Bizarre Video.
Executive Branch: Distributor Jerry E. of Juicy Entertainment and Exquisite Multimedia, Adam H. of Pleasure Productions, and Ed Kail & Marty Turkel.
Pleasure Product Branch: Lavi Yedid of NS Novelties; Robert Pyne Sr., founder of distribution company Williams Trading; and Rachel Venning & Claire Cavanah of adult retailer Babeland.
Internet Founders Branch: Angie Rowntree, founder of Sssh.com; Freeones.com founder Maurice; Mark "Greenguy" Jenkins of Link-O-Rama.com.
With the strong showing in awards categories by feature movies, Adult Video News proclaimed them alive and well: "Despite mumbling that features and parodies have run their course, several were big winners this year, including Underworld,Grease XXX,Temptation of Eve and Man of Steel XXX."[1]
Changes to awards categories
Beginning with the 31st AVN Awards, several new categories were introduced to reflect evolving market trends, including:[7]
Meanwhile, the Best Photography Website category was renamed Best Glamour Website "to include sites that also feature glamorous video content."[7] Unsung Starlet of the Year was renamed Unsung Female Performer of the Year, Best New Production Company became Best New Studio and Crossover Star of the Year became Mainstream Star of the Year.
Fan vote categories increased from four to 10 and the categories themselves were completely changed, from Favorite Body, Twitter Queen, Favorite Porn Star and Best Free Adult Website, to the following:[20]
AVN also added another category to its Hall of Fame: "the Executive Branch, for key members of the industry who work behind the scenes" such as in sales, marketing or education.[17]
Best Celebrity Sex Tape and Best Internal Release were dropped on this year's list of categories.
Reception and review
Some media outlets were critical of the show. Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun reported he was told attendance was down and the entertainment was terrible.[21]
Richard Abowitz, who covers the adult industry for The Daily Beast termed the show "lackluster", noting, "Though long-billed as the Academy Awards for the adult industry, few take that label seriously anymore. The massive decline in the porn industry’s fortunes thanks to regulatory challenges and piracy and the infinity of sex offerings on the Internet have left the remains of the mainstream porn industry closer to the cheesy and sleazy parody of the other Hollywood that defined porn’s golden era of the '80s."[22]
ExpressMilwaukee sexuality blogger Laura Anne Stuart expressed mixed feelings about the new BBW Performer of the Year award category: "On one hand, I’m glad that the most well-known adult industry awards are recognizing that larger women are sexy and sexual. On the other hand, this probably means that the Best Actress and Female Performer of the Year categories will continue to be won by skinny people with preternaturally large boobs and/or butts."[9]
In Memoriam
As the show was beginning, AVN used a segment to pay a tribute to adult-industry personalities who had died since the 2013 awards show, including Screw publisher Al Goldstein and producer/distributor Morty Gordon.[1]
