LOS ANGELES — Director/Performer Dana Vespoli is celebrating her nominations for Gonzo Release of the Year and Best Sex Scene (Taboo Themed) at the 2020 XBIZ Awards.
“The nominations recognize Vespoli’s work in a year that brought the acclaimed director’s magnificent return to Evil Angel, helming and co-starring in controversial titles such as acclaimed semi-documentary exploration of sexual freedom and responsibility ‘Consent,’ and the religiously themed ‘Ministry of Evil’,” said a rep.
According to Vespoli, she went “from shooting roughly 34 movies a year to shooting around six movies in 2019. That’s a huge change. What was nice about it was being able to really put time and energy into just a few projects, rather than deal with the anxiety of pre-production during production of the movie I was currently working on."
She explained “Consent” was “a timely movie, a very personal and meaningful one, and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with John Stagliano, who is a hero of mine and my raison d’être in this business.”
Seasoned with theological references and blasphemous imagery, “Ministry Of Evil” is set in a monastic order where people have their faith restored, and explores “twisted kinks that religion inspires but nonetheless forbids,” the director added
In the XBIZ-nominated scene, Father Steve (Holmes), assisted by nuns Julia Ann and Dana Vespoli, uses sexually corrective practices to cure raven-haired beauty Victoria Voxxx of demonic possession.
Holmes, who was just named the 2019 RISE Legacy Award winner for his body of work, has also received an XBIZ nomination for his role in the category of Best Actor (Taboo-Themed Release).
“I’m very happy that these particular projects have been recognized this year,” said Vespoli. “I had a lot of fun making these movies and am thankful to the cast and crew who did such outstanding work in them.”
The 2020 XBIZ Awards show will be held Thursday, January 16 at the JW Marriott L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The red-carpet extravaganza is the capstone of the annual XBIZ trade show, which unites all segments of adult in an welcoming atmosphere of networking and edification.
The full list of nominees for the 2020 XBIZ Awards can be found here.
Read the XBIZ review of “Ministry of Evil” here.
For more from Dana Vespoli, follow her on Twitter.
