HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The first Los Angeles Fetish Film Festival awards winners were crowned last Saturday at Hollywood’s Bar Sinister.
Show organizers said that fetish devotees from around the world attended the event that included a red carpet graced by dozens of fetish models in high fashion including Courtney Cruz, Emily Marilyn, Josi Kat, Iza La Vamp, Jesse Pagz, Goddess Sativa and Scar.
Independent film reviewer Chris Gore said, "I see a lot of movies, and sometimes I feel abused watching them. I feel beaten down. . . and not in a good way. The Los Angeles Fetish Film Festival is the first time I actually enjoyed it!"
Also in attendance was a who's who of LA counter culture performers and celebrities, including performance group Sex and Metal who treated the audience to an elaborate stage show, director and producer Master Liam, actress Elizabeth Aston, director Penny Antine, bands Blood on the Dance Floor and Murder By Television, Fetish Master Simon Blaze, actress Nicole Nogrady, Dissident Poet and author, Dennis Cruz and American Fetish's Nylon Girls.
Publisher and show sponsor Erik Von Gutenberg said, "When Michael Simmons came to me with this idea, I thought 'Had this not been done before?' It is obvious from the reaction of the people that are here tonight, that it is a huge success. There are hundreds of people in this club that are seeing this form of entertainment for the very first time."
Event producer Michael Simmons commented, “I felt there was a need in this remarkably creative community for a festival that would embrace the very large, very intense fetish movement in contemporary culture. And we were proven correct by the sold out festival. This inaugural international celebration of fetish in fashion, culture and films was exceptionally well received by the community. You could not move in the club after 11 o'clock. This was a sold out event.”
The winners of the 2011 Los Angeles Fetish Film Festival are:
Best Short — 'A Woman Under the Veil', directed by Bobbie Kitchens
Best Documentary — 'Love, Hugs & Kisses', directed by Mrs. G
Olivia's Choice — 'Project Morning Star', directed by Grant Wheeler
Directors' Choice — 'Lick Me', directed by James Avalon
New Vision Award — Director Jee, for shorts 'The Client', 'Eisenhower' and 'The Assignment'
The Blue Movie Award — 'Blind Love', directed by James Avalon
Best Feature — 'Indetrio', written and directed by Vivian Darkbloom
Judges included Simmons, fashion fetish photographer Alejandra Guerrero, fetish photographer Eric Kroll, Master Liam, Dr. Susan Block and burlesque diva, Olivia Bellafontaine.
The Official Media Sponsor for the event was von Gutenberg Media. Other sponsors included, American Fetish, LA Decadence, Gold Sponsor Stockroom, who provided the VIP gift bags, Extreme Restraints, FetBiz and KinkEvents.
