LOS ANGELES—The new documentary Being Black in Porn has been awarded Best Documentary (short or feature-length) at the ReelOut Queer Film Festival, aptly occurring during Black History Month.
The movie’s trailer premiered world-wide Juneteenth weekend and is available here.
Directed by Dwight Allen O’Neal and narrated by GayVN 2020 Best Actor and 2021 Performer of the Year Award DeAngelo Jackson, Being Black in Porn follows the lives of four gay men of color as they navigate their way in the competitive and often complicated adult industry.
“I want to thank everyone involved in this project and ReelOut for not only accepting our feature into their festival but awarding us Best Documentary,” O’Neal said. “This honor is especially impactful during Black History Month; we want to leave a lasting mark and start conversations with this documentary, delving into triggering topics: gay, BIPOC, sex workers. Our hope is that our documentary creates a better understanding of these men and sends a message to everyone that Black Lives Matter everywhere, in everything, and within every industry.”
Through interviews with the performers in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the movie examines their experiences and their encounters with racism, such as being cast in servant roles or as thugs and facing white performers who refuse to perform with them because of the color of their skin. They also speak about the impact of stereotypes where Black performers in gay porn are expected to have large penises and they’re made to bottom when they do not.
The inequality in the industry is also manifested, they note, in ways such as “BBC films” being one of the most searched terms in porn, and Black actors reporting making less money than their white counterparts.
Being Black in Porn also delves into the personal lives of the men, exploring the impact their careers have on their personal lives, social media and in the global Black Lives Matter movement.
“This means the world to me. I’m humbled and grateful to ReelOut for this big win,” said Jackson, who in addition to narrating the documentary, is also its executive producer. He selected the main cast for the documentary, which includes adult performers Dillon Diaz, Max Konnor and Rock Rockfella, an industry legend who directed Jackson’s first adult scene.
“I appreciate everyone who was willing to go on camera and speak their truth for our documentary, it’s a story that needs to be shared,” Jackson added. “I hope Being Black in Porn continues to win accolades and is seen all over the world.”
Jackson is the first Black man to win Best Actor at the GayVN Awards. He began his career in 2009 and is now in his fourth year as Noir Male’s exclusive contract performer. Born in Germany and raised in Georgia, Jackson studied Criminal Justice at Florida State University before entering the adult industry as a way to make extra money for college. Having never been with a man or woman, Jackson lost his virginity on camera, but today, he says he doesn’t regret any of the choices he has made and maintains a happy relationship with his supportive family, who say they are proud of all of his adult industry success.
To see the full list of winners from the ReelOut Queer Film Festival, click here.
Being Black in Porn is distributed by Mile High Media in association with Of the Clock Productions and Noir Male.
