SAN FRANCISCO - Athletic Model Guild, a producer of gay porn since the 1960s, earned 16 GAYVN Awards nominations in 2009.
Although the studio's focus has changed somewhat over the years, AMG president Dennis Bell said it's gratifying to know the 40-year-old operation still has what it takes to succeed with consumers and peers.
"This is a big year for us," Bell said. "Not only are we following last year's success at the GAYVNs, but we're also competing against ourselves in a couple of categories. On top of that, we've received more nods this year than [we did in] any other [year].
"We couldn't be more grateful to the industry for its support," he added. "It's a real validation for all the time spent sweating in the jungle during these productions."
The premium Latin hardcore label AMG Brasil racked up 14 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Alternative, Best Ethnic and Best Foreign nods. In addition, the vintage brand, AMG Classics, received two nominations: Best Classic DVD for Theatre Film Classics: Teacher's Pests and Best Alternative Release for Wrestling Live 23.
The studio's big-budget feature for 2009, Rio, earned nods in seven categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor - Foreign Release, Best Ethnic-Themed Film - Latin, Best Foreign Release, Best Solo Performance and Best Cinematographer. The studio also received recognition for Suruba: Azul and Carnaval.
Two of AMG's most popular performers also received nominations: Ricardo Onça for Best Top and Marcelo Mastro for Best Newcomer.
In 2008, AMG Brasil was awarded the Best Ethnic-Themed Film - Latin GAYVN Award for the two-part porn thriller, Amazônia: Capture and Amazônia: Release.
AMG's 2009 GAYVN Awards nominations are:
Best Picture: Rio
Best Director: Dennis Bell, Rio
Best Actor - Foreign Release: Rick Garcia, Rio
Best Top: Ricardo Onça
Best Newcomer: Marcelo Mastro
Best All-Sex Film: Suruba: Azul
Best Alternative Release: Wrestling Live 23
Best Classic DVD: Theatre Film Classics: Teacher's Pests
Best Ethnic-Themed Film - Latin: Carnaval, Rio
Best Foreign Release: Rio
Best Solo Performance: Jack Benelli, Rio
Best Cinematography: Dennis Bell, Rio
Best Art Direction: Carnaval
Best Packaging: Suruba: Azul
Best Marketing: Carnaval
For more about AMG, visit AthleticModelGuild.com.
The studio's domestic distribution is handled by Paladin Video; foreign distribution is handled by COLT Studio Group.
