Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for a 2012 AVN Award nomination, a movie or product must have been released between Oct. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2011, in accordance with the following guidelines: made available for VOD download and/or physically stocked with either 10 wholesale distributors or 100 retail outlets; movie titles only released via VOD as of Sept. 30 must be in stock in physical format with 10 wholesale distributors or 100 retail outlets no later than Oct. 15, 2011.
Pre-Nomination & Voting Information
Pre-Nominations for all categories are open to any adult industry professional. Final voting to determine winners will be open to select committees knowledgeable in each particular category.
Video
Best 3D Release - The DVD or online release which best utilizes the third dimension to convey hard or softcore eroticism, to tell an adult-oriented story or both.
Best Actor - Best lead acting performance by a male that includes at least one sex scene.
Best Actress - Best lead acting performance by a female that includes at least one sex scene.
Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene - Best sex scene between three or more women.
Best All-Girl Release - Title whose sex scenes involve only women.
Best All-Girl Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best All-Sex Release - Movie with no pretense of plot or other contextualization; consideration is given to the sexual heat as well as attention to production value.
Best All-Sex Release, Mixed Format - Movie with no pretense of plot, but whose individual scenes employ a variety of styles including but not limited to Gonzo, Vignette and/or context-free sex.
Best All-Sex Series - Any series with at least three volumes released and two released within the eligibility period that fall within the All-Sex, High-End All-Sex, Orgy/Gangbang or All-Sex – Mixed Format categories.
Best Amateur Release - Title that involves all non-professional performers.
Best Amateur Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Anal Release - A release marketed as Anal, where the predominance of sex scenes includes anal sex.
Best Anal Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Anal Sex Scene - Sex scene with two or more performers (at least one man and one woman) where the sex is predominantly anal.
Best Animated Release - Feature or vignette involving more than 50% computer-generated or hand-drawn action.
Best Art Direction - Overall look of production including sets and costumes.
Best BDSM Release - Bondage or S/M themed title which may include humiliation, tickling, spanking, latex fetish, ballbusting, facesitting or other domination or submission themed sexual acts.
Best Big Bust Release - Features and markets big breasts.
Best Big Bust Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Big Butt Release - Feature or vignettes marketing big-butt women.
Best Big Butt Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Boy/Girl Sex Scene - Sex scene involving one man and one woman. [Formerly Best Couples Sex Scene]
Best Cinematography - Recognizes the craftsmanship with which a video or movie is a shot and the overall quality of the picture's look.
Best Classic Release - A high-quality adult release making its debut on DVD (originally shot before 1995).
Best Comedy - Title emphasizing a strong comedic element.
Best Director, Feature - For story-based productions.
Best Director, Foreign Feature - For story-based productions shot outside the U.S.
Best Director, Foreign Non-Feature - For gonzo, all-sex, etc. productions shot outside the U.S.
Best Director, Non-Feature - For gonzo, all-sex, etc. productions shot inside the U.S.
Best Director, Parody - For a parody project.
Best Double-Penetration Sex Scene - Sex scene involving female being penetrated by males vaginally and anally simultaneously.
Best DVD Extras - Extras produced to enhance DVD experience (behind-the scenes, interviews, bloopers, director’s commentary, etc.) [NOTE: Must be released in physical format by Sept. 30, 2011 to be considered.]
Best Editing - Recognizes the craftsmanship with which a movie is assembled.
Best Educational Release - Sexual instruction or adult-industry related instruction in a feature or featurette form.
Best Ethnic Release - Asian - A release marketed as "Asian" with a predominance of Asian performers.
Best Ethnic Release - Black - A release marketed as "Black" with a predominance of Black performers.
Best Ethnic Release - Latin - A release marketed as "Latin" with a predominance of Latin performers.
Best Ethnic Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period featuring Asian, black or Latin performers.
Best Feature - A story-based title with a beginning, middle and end tied together by more than just a connecting device.
Best Fem-Dom Strap-On Release - Production in which the sex scenes involve a female penetrating a man's anus with a strap-on dildo.
Best Foot/Leg Fetish Release - Title that emphasizes foot and/or leg worship or sex acts with feet/legs.
Best Foreign All-Sex Release - An all-sex release shot outside the U.S.
Best Foreign All-Sex Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Foreign Feature - A story-based productions shot outside the U.S.
Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene - Best sex scene between two women. [Formerly Best All-Girl Couples Sex Scene]
Best Gonzo Release - A reality-based production in which the cameraperson's presence is acknowledged, often via interaction with those onscreen.
Best Gonzo Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Group Sex Scene - A sex scene with four or more performers including at least one man and one woman.
Best High-End All-Sex Release - Movie with no pretense of plot, but visually striking production values of the caliber typically associated with big-budget features.
Best Internal Release - Production in which the majority of the sex scenes feature the male(s) ejaculating inside the vagina or anus of the female(s).
Best Interracial Release - A release marketed as "Interracial" with interracial sex.
Best Interracial Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Makeup - Best use of makeup to enhance a production.
Best Male Newcomer - New male performer who has had the most impact during the eligibility period (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Best MILF Release - Production featuring older women/actual mothers.
Best MILF Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Music Soundtrack - Best use of music to enhance a production; recognizes entire musical score of a title.
Best New Line - New imprint from established video production company.
Best New Series - Series which debuted during eligibility period (minimum 2 titles on market).
Best New Starlet - New female performer who has had the most impact during the eligibility period (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Best Non-Sex Performance - Best acting performance by a male or female that does not include sex but could include nudity.
Best Older Woman/Younger Girl Release - Production focusing on sex simultaneously involving at least one older woman and one younger girl, with or without males.
Best Oral Release - Titled marketed as and including mostly oral sex scenes.
Best Oral Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Oral Sex Scene - Sex scene involving two or more performers (one male and one female) emphasize fellatio.
Best Orgy/Gangbang Release - Title marketed as and including mostly group sex scenes.
Best Original Song - Original song written for a specific adult production or series.
Best Overall Marketing Campaign, Company Image - The marketing of one company over an entire year.
Best Overall Marketing Campaign, Individual Project - The marketing of one individual title or project.
Best Packaging - Recognizes the appeal and overall quality of a release's package design. [NOTE: Must be released in physical format by Sept. 30, 2011 to be considered.]
Best Parody – Comedy - Title spoofing or mimicking a mainstream TV show, movie and/or public figure(s).
Best Parody – Drama - Title faithfully recreating a dramatic TV show, movie or other mainstream source material.
Best POV Release - Title emphasizing sex from the shooter's point-of-view.
Best POV Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best POV Sex Scene - Sex scene shot from the shooter's point-of-view.
Best Pro-Am Release - Title that involves non-professional performers along with at least one professional performer.
Best Pro-Am Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Renting Title of the Year - Based on the weekly AVN Charts, a compilation of reports from traditional retailers and online retailers across the U.S. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Best Screenplay - Recognizes craftsmanship of the writing for any original scripted title.
Best Screenplay – Parody - Recognizes craftsmanship of the writing for any scripted title based on a mainstream work. [Formerly Best Screenplay – Adapted]
Best Selling Title of the Year - Based on the weekly AVN Charts, a compilation of reports from traditional retailers and online retailers across the U.S. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Best Sex Scene in a Foreign-Shot Production - Sex scene involving two or more performers (at least one male and one female) shot outside the U.S.
Best Softcore Release - Production containing no explicit sex acts, but features a predominantly sex-oriented theme. [Formerly Best Alternative Release]
Best Solo Release - Title featuring all single female masturbation scenes.
Best Solo Sex Scene - Single female masturbation scene.
Best Special Effects - Recognizes craftsmanship of visual effects in a title.
Best Specialty Release, Other Genre - Best niche title of any type not specified in another category (i.e. midgets, hirsute, stocking fetish, wrestling, BBW, bukkake, etc.)
Best Specialty Series, Other Genre - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period. i.e. - squirting
Best Squirting Release - Production featuring female ejaculation in the majority of its sex scenes.
Best Supporting Actor - Best secondary acting performance by a male that includes at least one sex scene.
Best Supporting Actress - Best secondary acting performance by a female that includes at least one sex scene.
Best Tease Performance - Best display of non-sex seduction by a female performer.
Best Three-Way Sex Scene – G/B/B - Sex scene involving one woman and two men.
Best Three-Way Sex Scene – G/G/B - Sex scene involving two women and one man.
Best Transsexual Release - Production starring trans-gender performers.
Best Transsexual Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Vignette Release - A title whose scenes depict self-contained stories or scenarios, with or without a connecting device.
Best Vignette Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Best Young Girl Release - Production featuring and marketing young girls (ages 18-21).
Best Young Girl Series - Must have three total in the same series released and two released within the eligibility period.
Clever Title of the Year - Recognizes creative titling, clever parody or just plain outrageous titling of an adult production. Not based on quality of production, simply marketing.
Crossover Star of the Year - The adult performer who most penetrated the mainstream world during the eligibility period.
Director of the Year (Body of Work) - Awarded for a director's entire oeuvre during the eligibility period rather than one particular title.
Female Foreign Performer of the Year - Awarded to a woman for a body of work during the eligibility period predominantly produced outside the U.S. (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Female Performer of the Year - Awarded to a woman for a body of work during the eligibility period predominantly produced in the U.S. (sex, acting and marketability all factored in).
Hall of Fame - Actors, actresses, directors, behind-the-scenes craftspeople who have had enormous impact and have been in the adult industry at least 10 years. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Hall of Fame (Founders Branch) - Business people who have had enormous positive impact and who have been in the adult industry at least 10 years. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Male Foreign Performer of the Year - Awarded to a man for a body of work during the eligibility period predominantly produced outside the U.S. (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Male Performer of the Year - Awarded to a man for a body of work during the eligibility period predominantly produced in the U.S. (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
MILF/Cougar Performer of the Year - Awarded to a woman for a body of work during the eligibility period predominantly characterized as MILF, Cougar or Older Woman productions.
Most Outrageous Sex Scene - A sex scene that is creatively unique and has impact beyond the normal eroticism found in a sex scene; typically depicts something shocking or outlandish.
Transsexual Performer of the Year - Awarded to a transgender performer for their entire body of work during the eligibility period (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Unsung Male Performer of the Year - Awarded to a man for his entire body of work during the eligibility period, whom AVN feels has previously gone unrecognized (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Unsung Starlet of the Year - Awarded to a woman for her entire body of work during the eligibility, whom AVN feels has previously gone unrecognized (sex, acting and marketability all considered).
Reuben Sturman Award - Awarded to an individual or individuals who have had enormous impact protecting the First Amendment, Free Speech, Privacy Rights or other major issues concerning the adult industry. Named after adult industry forefather Reuben Sturman. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Retail & Distribution
Best Adult Distributor - Any distinguished full-service distributor of DVD, sex toys, lingerie, accessories or any combination thereof, located east of the Mississippi River.
Best Boutique (East) - Any single brick-and-mortar store located east of the Mississippi River that sells pleasure products primarily to women and couples and is distinguished by exceptional appearance, design, product mix and service.
Best Boutique (West) - Any single brick-and-mortar store located west of the Mississippi River that sells pleasure products primarily to women and couples and is distinguished by exceptional appearance, design, product mix and service.
Best Retail Chain - Any chain of two or more brick-and-mortar adult retail outlets that sell DVD, sex toys, lingerie, accessories or any combination thereof, distinguished by exceptional appearance, design, product mix and service.
Best Retail Store (East) - Any single brick-and-mortar store located east of the Mississippi River that sells DVD, sex toys, lingerie, accessories or any combination thereof, distinguished by exceptional appearance, design, product mix and service.
Best Retail Store (West) - Any single brick-and-mortar store located west of the Mississippi River that sells DVD, sex toys, lingerie, accessories or any combination thereof, distinguished by exceptional appearance, design, product mix and service.
Sex Toys & Pleasure Products
Best Fetish Product - Any BDSM or other fetish item distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Best Lingerie or Apparel Company - Any lingerie or apparel company distinguished by exceptional fashion design, packaging, marketing, and customer service.
Best Overall Sex Toy Line - Any sex toy product line distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Best Packaging - Any packaging for any individual pleasure product or pleasure product line, distinguished by exceptional quality, design, functionality, and customer appeal.
Best Party, Game or Gag Product - Any bachelor/bachelorette party product, game, or gag gift, distinguished by exceptional creativity, humor, and customer appeal.
Best Sex Accessory - Any lube, supplement, or other non-toy item distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Best Sex Toy Company – Large - Any sex toy manufacturer distinguished by exceptional product design, packaging, marketing, and customer service with 31 or more SKUs.
Best Sex Toy Company – Small - Any sex toy manufacturer distinguished by exceptional product design, packaging, marketing, and customer service with 30 or less SKUs.
Best Sex Toy for Couples - Any powered or non-powered pleasure product designed for use by a couple and distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Best Sex Toy for Men - Any powered or non-powered pleasure product designed for use by a man and distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Best Sex Toy for Women - Any powered or non-powered pleasure product designed for use by a woman and distinguished by exceptional quality, design, and functionality.
Hall of Fame (Pleasure Product Branch) – Any professional with at least 10 years adult industry experience who has had an enormous positive impact in the field of pleasure products. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
Web & Technology
Best Affiliate Program - A Web network comprised of a minimum of five regularly updated membership sites judged on ease of accessibility, content quality and design.
Best Alternative Website - Website that is targeted to a specific niche or community, with content that falls outside the “mainstream” of adult.
Best Dating Website - Any adult related genre or category is eligible.
Best Live Chat Website - Live chat must be primary business model of site.
Best Membership Site - Best adult web site that charges a monthly fee for subscribers to access adult content.
Best Online Marketing Campaign, Individual Project - Website dedicated to the promotion of one individual title or campaign.
Best Photography Website - Best website showcasing erotic still photos.
Best Porn Star Website - The top female porn star on the internet. Performer must have a website focused specifically on her. Judging will be based on the performer’s body of work on this site only.
Best Retail Website - Best website designed for sales and/or rentals of adult DVDs, sex toys and/or other adult products.
Best Solo Girl Website - The top new female performer on the internet. Performer must have a website focused specifically on her that has debuted in the 12 months. Judging will be based on the performer's body of work on her site, including video, photo and editorial content. [Formerly Best Web Star]
Best Studio Website - Best web presence from an adult production company. [Formerly Best Online Marketing Campaign, Company Image]
Best Web Premiere - A single title or movie or web series that has its world premiere on a particular website or VOD site, which has not been released on DVD.
Hall of Fame (Internet Founders Branch) - Business people who have had enormous positive impact in the internet sector and who have been in the adult industry at least 10 years. (NOT A VOTING CATEGORY)
