LOS ANGELES—Wicked Pictures has announced that it was the most awarded studio of the night at the 30th Annual NightMoves Awards show, held Oct. 9 in Tampa, Fla.
Renowned director and Wicked head of production Axel Braun’s AVN award-winning Wicked Comix blockbuster Black Widow XXX: An Axel Braun Parody was the evening’s most acclaimed feature, earning both Best Feature and Best Actor, the latter for three-time consecutive AVN Best Actor and longtime Braun protégé Seth Gamble (for his performance as Deadpool).
Gamble’s own debut as a director of narrative features, the Axel Braun-produced Deranged, received Best Actress in recognition of Kenzie Taylor’s lead performance. Director/cinematographer James Avalon’s psychological thriller Dark Is The Night, also produced by Braun for the Wicked Noir imprint, was celebrated with one of the night’s top prizes, the NightMoves First Choice Award. In his "Five Star Friday" Editor’s Choice review of Avalon’s film, national features and DVD editor for NightMoves magazine Art Koch wrote, “There is no doubt in my mind, this is an adult film that can, and will, become an instant classic people will remember ten or more years from now… Everything about this film says award winner and it should be a heavy contender at the AVN awards in January... James Avalon has created some fantastic films in his long career as a director and writer, and this may be his very best yet.”
Regarding the success of Black Widow XXX: An Axel Braun Parody and Deranged, Gamble observed, “It was such an honor to win an award for portraying Deadpool in Black Widow XXX. It is an amazing experience every time I get to play the Merc with a Mouth and I’m very grateful for that. Most of all I can’t tell you the emotions that went through me to see my wife Kenzie Taylor win Best Actress for Deranged—not only did I put my heart and soul into this movie, but she did as well, more than anybody can really know. She went full method in it, and directing her was a complete pleasure.”
“I’m so thankful and happy to finally get the opportunity to win an award for acting,” added Taylor. “Winning Best Actress for Deranged really means a lot to me. Deranged was my husband’s first narrative series, and he not only directed, but he also wrote the screenplay. It’s always an incredible feeling when your hard work is recognized. I really want to send a big thank you to Axel, the entire cast and crew, NightMoves, Seth, and Wicked!”
Of his latest release for the Wicked Noir imprint, Avalon said, “It is such an honor to have won the NightMoves First Choice award for Dark Is The Night. I had a wonderful time working with Axel, Seth, Kenna, and the rest of our cast and crew. I appreciate Axel letting me make a feature the way I envisioned it with such a great cast of wonderful actors, and I thank NightMoves for recognizing our hard work.”
“It was a fantastic evening,” enthused Braun. “The NightMoves people really pulled out all the stops for this milestone celebration, and it was an honor being there to support them. I was obviously thrilled to bring home two more Black Widow XXX awards, but I am ecstatic about Kenzie Taylor winning Best Actress for Deranged. Ever since she starred in Captain Marvel XXX, I have been blown away by her acting chops and her absolute commitment to every role she plays, and in this movie, she really proved how talented she is. And while Seth Gamble winning a Best Actor award may seem like routine nowadays, it is always a great feeling to see him recognized for the hard work and unmatched passion he consistently puts into everything he does. Last but not least, the trophy for James Avalon’s Dark is the Night is very special to me, not only because it’s my first award as a producer of a movie I didn’t direct, but also because it really is a truly incredible movie that James wrote, shot, and edited masterfully, and I am rightfully proud of it.”
Reflecting on the number of high-profile projects the company released in 2022, the four-time Director of the Year added, “The output we had at Wicked this year was phenomenal because I was lucky to have a fantastic crew that brought quality, enthusiasm, and positive energy on set. They are the unsung heroes of our industry and these awards truly belong to them.”
In related news, Blake Blossom, currently garnering notice for her turn in Spideypool XXX: An Axel Braun Parody, earned Best Female Performer. Braun, Gamble, and Taylor were all present to accept their trophies in person.
“I cannot thank you enough for making it to our 30th Annual Awards Show, and for bringing Seth and Kenzie with you,” Koch said to Braun after the show. “That was fantastic, and it was good to meet them. You are one very special man to all of us!”
To learn more, visit www.wicked.com.
