LOS ANGELES — Wicked Pictures and the lines it distributes have received over 100 nominations for the 2018 XBIZ Awards, with nearly half going to Brad Armstrong's quartet of blockbusters — "Ethnicity," "An Inconvenient Mistress," "Takers" and "Jessica Drake Is Wicked" —Axel Braun’s crossover hit "Justice League XXX: An Axel Braun Parody" and Stormy Daniels' Texas-filmed romance "Unbridled."
These acclaimed productions from each of the studio's in-house imprints (Wicked Comix, Wicked Passions, Wicked Showcase, Wicked Blockbuster, Wicked Feature and Wicked All-Sex) spotlight the gifts of their creators as well as the beauty and talent of iconic Wicked Girls Stormy Daniels, 2018 XBIZ Awards host Jessica Drake and Asa Akira, all of whom are nominated for Best Actress awards.
"Ethnicity" and "An Inconvenient Mistress" led the way for Wicked’s original productions, with each earning 10 major nominations. "Ethnicity" fine performances, taut direction and outstanding production values were recognized with such important noms as Feature Movie of the Year, Best Actress — Feature Release (Kira Noir), Best Actor — Feature Release (Nat Turnher), Best Supporting Actress (Misty Stone), Best Supporting Actor (Tyler Knight), Screenplay of the Year, Best Cinematography, Best Music and two Best Sex Scene — Feature Release mentions.
In addition to Feature Movie of the Year, "An Inconvenient Mistress" received nominations for Best Actress — Feature Release (Jessica Drake), Best Actor — Feature Release (Ryan Driller), Best Supporting Actor (Brad Armstrong), Best Non-Sex Performance (Carl Johnson), Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Jessica Drake, Ryan Driller and Michael Vegas), Screenplay of the Year, Best Music, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.
"Takers" earned Feature Movie of the Year and Screenplay of the Year nominations, as well as noms for Best Actress — Feature Release (Asa Akira), Best Actor (Brad Armstrong), Best Supporting Actor (Derrick Pierce), Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Ana Foxxx and Ryan Driller) and Best Art Direction.
The best-selling "Jessica Drake Is Wicked" earned several high-profile nominations, including Performer Showcase of the Year, Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release (Anna Bell Peaks, Jessica Drake, Lily Lane, Sarah Jessie, Will Havoc and Small Hands) and Marketing Campaign of the Year. Fittingly, the consistently high quality of Armstrong's work was rewarded with Best Director — Feature Release and Director of the Year — Body of Work nominations.
With honors in 15 major categories, "Justice League XXX: An Axel Braun Parody" emerged as Wicked's most nominated release. Parody master Braun's Wicked Comix smash hit earned nominations for Feature Movie of The Year, Best Actress (Romi Rain), Best Actor (Xander Corvus, Ryan Driller), Best Supporting Actress (Jessa Rhodes), Best Supporting Actor (Tyler Nixon), Best Non-Sex Performance (Lena Paul), Best Sex Scene — Feature Release, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Special Effects, Screenplay of the Year, Best Editing, Best Music and Marketing Campaign of the Year.
While renowned for his epic parodies, Braun received nominations in many other fields as well. Axel Braun's "Asian Connection" earned Asian-Themed Release of the Year, while Axel Braun's "Brown Sugar" earned both Interracial Release of the Year and All-Sex Release of the Year nominations, as well as a Best Sex Scene — All Sex Release nod. The Riley Steele release "Riley Goes Gonzo 2," which Braun produced for his son Rikki Braun, was nominated for Performer Showcase of the Year, while Rikki's debut as a feature director, "Exposed," which the elder Braun both wrote and produced, earned James Bartholet a Best Non-Sex Performance nomination. Axel Braun's prodigious work over the last 12 months earned him both "Best Director — Feature Release and Best Director — Body of Work nominations.
Veteran writer and filmmaker Stormy Daniels was honored with Couples-Themed Release of the Year and Best Director — Feature Release nominations thanks to the superlative "Unbridled," her big-budget, Texas-filmed Wicked Passions romance. "Unbridled" scored many noms including Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Stormy Daniels), Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Marcus London), Best Supporting Actress (Lyra Law), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Vegas), Best Non-Sex Performance (Jay Crew) and two mentions in the Best Sex Scene —Couples-Themed Release category: for Stormy Daniels and Marcus London, plus Stormy Daniels and Ryan Driller.
Daniels' other triumphs included five nominations for her Wicked Passions romance "It's Complicated," like Couples-Themed Release of the Year, Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Gracie Glam), Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Steven St. Croix) and two mentions in the Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release categories. Daniels' "Karma" earned Seth Gamble a Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release nomination, as well as a Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release nod. "The Blonde Dahlia" saw Asa Akira receiving her second Best Actress nomination, and "From Beyond" snared Ryan McLane a Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release nomination.
In addition to her acting and performing accolades, writer-director-producer-host Jessica Drake’s many nominations included Sexpert of the Year, in recognition of her continuing work as a sexual wellness educator, while her ever-expanding mainstream media profile was recognized in the Crossover Star of the Year category. The creative promotional roll-out of "Jessica Drake Is Wicked" earned her a Marketing Campaign of the Year nomination.
Veteran contract director Jonathan Morgan received four nominations for his outstanding comedy "Conflicted," including Comedy Release of the Year, Best Actress — Comedy Release (Cassidy Klein), Best Non-Sex Performance (Kyle Stone) and Best Sex Scene — Comedy Release.
Industry stalwart Mike Quasar's work for Wicked was rewarded handsomely, particularly his romantic features "Ingénue" and "Inner Demons." "Ingénue" received Couples-Themed Release of the Year, Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Karlee Grey) and Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Tommy Pistol) nominations, as well as two Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release nods. "Inner Demons" snared noms for Couples-Themed Release of the Year, Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Tommy Pistol) and Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release.
Other lines distributed by the company, including Marc Dorcel, abbywinters and JoyBear Pictures, were all represented by major nominations. And in recognition of the Wicked brand’s continuing success in newer ventures, Wicked Sensual Care, the acclaimed creator of luxurious, cruelty-free and PETA-certified lubricants and enhancers, was recognized with a Sex Lubricant Company of the Year nomination, as well a product nom for AQUA Sweet Peach (Sex Lubricant of the Year).
Given its outstanding track record in production, performance, eroticism and innovation, it came as no surprise that XBIZ should honor Wicked Pictures with two of its most coveted nominations — tudio Site of the Year and Studio of the Year. For his part, Wicked president and owner Steve Orenstein could not be more pleased to see his in-house directors, contract stars and executives earning such recognition. “As the business continues to change I’m prouder than ever to see nearly half our yearly output receive nominations," he said. "The work of our directors and contract performers — all of whom earned acting nominations — continues to stand out from the pack and be recognized. Of course, all of our great work is not just from our contract players, and I thank all the independent directors, actors and actresses for their hard work as well.”
Wicked Pictures congratulates its talented performers, filmmakers, distribution partners and staff for their 2018 XBIZ nominations. From ambitious high-tech epics to the most intimate of love stories, this forward-thinking studio continues to prove that it is built to last. For a complete list of nominations, see below.
To learn more about Wicked Pictures, visit Wicked.com.
Wicked Pictures 2018 XBIZ Awards Nominations
"JUSTICE LEAGUE XXX: AN AXEL BRAUN PARODY"
Feature Movie of the Year
Best Actress — Feature Release (Romi Rain)
Best Actor — Feature Release (Ryan Driller)
Best Actor — Feature Release (Xander Corvus)
Best Supporting Actress (Jessa Rhodes)
Best Supporting Actor (Tyler Nixon)
Best Non-Sex Performance (Lena Paul)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Romi Rain and Xander Corvus)
Screenplay of the Year
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Special Effects
Best Music
Best Editing
Marketing Campaign of the Year
"ETHNICITY"
Feature Movie of the Year
Best Actress — Feature Release (Kira Noir)
Best Actor — Feature Release (Nat Turnher)
Best Supporting Actress (Misty Stone)
Best Supporting Actor (Tyler Knight)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Chanell Heart, Yasmin De Leon and Prince Yahshua)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Misty Stone and Eddie Jaye)
Screenplay of the Year
Best Cinematography
Best Music
"AN INCONVENIENT MISTRESS"
Feature Movie of the Year
Best Actor — Feature Release (Ryan Driller)
Best Actress — Feature Release (Jessica Drake)
Best Supporting Actor (Brad Armstrong)
Best Non-Sex Performance (Carl Johnson)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Jessica Drake, Ryan Driller and Michael Vegas)
Screenplay of the Year
Best Cinematography
Best Music
Best Editing
"UNBRIDLED"
Couples-Themed Release of the Year
Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Stormy Daniels)
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Marcus London)
Best Supporting Actress (Lyra Law)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Vegas)
Best Non-Sex Performance (Jay Crew)
Best Sex Scene - Couples-Themed Release (Stormy Daniels and Marcus London)
Best Sex Scene - Couples-Themed Release (Stormy Daniels and Ryan Driller)
"TAKERS"
Feature Movie of the Year
Best Actress — Feature Release (Asa Akira)
Best Actor — Feature Release (Brad Armstrong)
Best Supporting Actor (Derrick Pierce)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Ana Foxxx and Ryan Driller)
Screenplay of the Year
Best Art Direction
"IT'S COMPLICATED"
Couples-Themed Release of the Year
Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Gracie Glam)
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Steven St. Croix)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Gracie Glam and Ryan Driller)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Yhivi and Michael Vegas)
"INGENUE"
Couples-Themed Release of the Year
Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Karlee Grey)
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Tommy Pistol)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Janice Griffith and Tommy Pistol)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Mercedes Carrera and Danny Mountain)
"CONFLICTED"
Comedy Release of the Year
Best Actress — Comedy Release (Cassidy Klein)
Best Non-Sex Performance (Kyle Stone)
Best Sex Scene — Comedy Release (Casey Calvert & Lucas Frost)
"JESSICA DRAKE IS WICKED"
Performer Showcase of the Year
Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release (Anna Bell Peaks, Jessica Drake, Lily Lane, Sarah Jessie, Will Havoc and Small Hands)
Marketing Campaign of the Year
"INNER DEMONS"
Couples-Themed Release of the Year
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Tommy Pistol)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Alexis Fawx & Karlie Montana)
"STRIPPED DOWN"
Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Alexa Grace)
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Ryan Driller)
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Ana Foxxx & Michael Vegas)
"AXEL BRAUN'S BROWN SUGAR"
Interracial Release of the Year
All-Sex Release of the Year
Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release (Ana Foxxx & Small Hands)
"KARMA"
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Seth Gamble)
Best Sex Scene — Feature Release (Brett Rossi & Seth Gamble)
"AXEL BRAUN'S ASIAN CONNECTION"
Asian-Themed Release of the Year
"EXPOSED"
Best Non-Sex Performance (James Bartholet)
"RILEY GOES GONZO 2"
Performer Showcase of the Year
"THE BLONDE DAHLIA"
Best Actress — Couples-Themed Release (Asa Akira)
"FROM BEYOND"
Best Actor — Couples-Themed Release (Ryan McLane)
"WHO'S BANGING THE BABYSITTER"
Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release (Elsa Jean & Jay Smooth)
"SPOILED"
Best Sex Scene — Couples-Themed Release (Abigail Mac & Olive Glass)
"TEEN YOGA"
Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release (Aidra Fox & Charles Dera)
Director of the Year — Feature Release
Brad Armstrong
Stormy Daniels
Axel Braun
Director of the Year — Body of Work
Brad Armstrong
Axel Braun
Sexpert of the Year
Jessica Drake
Crossover Star of the Year
Jessica Drake
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Jessica Drake, "Jessica Drake Is Wicked"
Studio Site of the Year
Wicked.com
Studio of the Year
Wicked Pictures
WICKED SENSUAL CARE
Sex Lubricant Company of the Year
Sex Lubricant of the Year — AQUA Sweet Peach
Lines Distributed by Wicked Pictures 2018 XBIZ Awards Nominations
MARC DORCEL
Foreign Studio of the Year
Foreign Feature Release of the Year — Revenge of a Daughter
Foreign Feature Release of the Year — 40 Years Old, My New Vicious Life
Foreign Feature Release of the Year — Diary of a Student
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — Anissa Kate, The Tenniswoman
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — Bounds of Silk
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — Luxure, The Perfect Wife
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — My Maid And Me
VOD Company of the Year
VOD Site of the Year
Studio Site of the Year
Retailer of the Year — Boutique - Dorcel Store
JOYBEAR PICTURES
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — Quartet
Foreign Non-Feature Release of the Year — Sun Stroke
ABBYWINTERS
Foreign Studio of the Year
Amateur Release of the Year — Girls and Their Boys 31
