The party was held at the Knitting Factory (also the site for the two-day film fest) on Hollywood Blvd., not far from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and other landmarks on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
Early arrivals included alt performer Dana Dearmond, who had pictures of her new Sphinx kitten to show on her iPhone.
She was joined be alt auteur Eon McKai, who was instrumental in putting together one of the Fest’s headlining presentations “Llik Your Idols: Cinema of Transgression,” which screens today, as well as having several of his short films shown throughout the weekend.
Experimental filmmaker Nick Zedd, whose work would be featured in “Llik Your Idols,” told XBIZ, “I’m really surprised by the diversity of film being shown here.”
There was a strong alt porn contingent including LAEFF hostess Joanna Angel, who appeared on the red carpet with Tommy Pistol and Gia Paloma.
Independent filmmaker Max Royalle, whose short film “Strange Days and Ultraviolet” told XBIZ, “I applaud XFANZ for putting on this event. Any opportunity for young directors to show erotica films that are not considered mainstream of gonzo porn is so important — it’s wonderful.”
Royalle’s film features adult performers Lexi Bardot and James Dean shot with an infrared camera, having sex in total darkness.
Before the party was in full swing, a large crowd gathered in the red carpet area, including Dr. Susan Block, performers Page Morgan, Vanessa Blue and her beau Michael Fattorossi, James Bartholet, Evil Angel directors Manuel Ferrara and Jake Malone.
Malone, who was standing with Evil Angel’s Karen Stagliano (wife of Evil Angel founder John Stagliano) jokingly said,” You can put on the website that Karen and I are running off to get married.”
Asked if her husband was aware of the plan, Mrs. Stagliano said that he was probably was not since he’d stayed home from the party because he was busy editing his next release.
Photographer Holly Randall, whose classic looks were movie star glamorous, was seen talking to adult blogger Luke Ford.
Male performers Tee Reel and Tommy Gunn talked together before heading inside to join the festivities.
Cousin Stevie made an appearance, joking that he had entered a film short titled “The Further Adventures of Smegma” and taking a photo op with one of his idols, classic star Seka.
Performer Sunny Lane arrived, making one of her first appearances as the new exclusive contract dancer for Deja Vu gentlemen's clubs. “I’m so excited to be here and see all these hot, sexy films from mainstream and adult,” Lane told XBIZ. She also had attended a panel earlier in the day featuring Karen Stagliano, Vanessa Blue, Nicki Hunter, Belladonna, Holly Randall and Kylie Ireland, and said she enjoyed hearing from the feminine side of the industry.
Also making an appearance on the red carpet: Seka, Ron Jeremy and Roy Karch who were all scheduled to appear on the Classic Showcase panel on Sunday.
Inside the venue, the Knitting Factory’s layout made it possible for guest to enjoy various performances. In the main room, DJs Quixotic and Kris Bertrand spun classic dance grooves while the main bar was busy serving premium drinks to the crowd which got thicker as the evening progressed.
Vivid director/production manager Jason Sinclair said he rarely attends big industry parties, but showed up just to have fun and show some industry love.
“Spunk’d” Director Justin Kane said that for a first-time film fest, that the event was getting a good response, judging by the size of the party crowd.
“I’ve been to first-time festivals where none showed up at all,” Kane said, over the thumping dance music.
In the Boom Boom Room, Ronnie Rock Productions put on a bondage suspension show with a curvaceous fetish model expertly strung up in various positions and spinning from the ceiling.
Midway through the evening, the inaugural LAEFF/XFANZ Recognition Awards were presented by XBIZ editor Steve Javors and Joanna Angel. The handsome Plexiglas trophies were presented to adult industry members for lifetime achievements and outstanding work. Recepients included Marilyn Chambers, Roy Karch and Seka.
“More than anything else, I want to thank to the fans,” Seka said to the audience. “Without them, we go nowhere.”
A posthumous award was given to Russ Meyer, the creator of such erotic classics as “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” and “Mudhoney.”
Eon McKai received a special Vanguard Award for his work as an originator of the alt porn movement.
The evening was highlighted by performances from The Muytator and its sister act, Cirque Berserk!
The Cirque’s eclectic mix of sideshow stunts and burlesque warmed up the audience with acrobats swinging from silken chords above the heads of the crowd.
Then the Muytator took the stage with their tribal drum/electronica infusion of live horn players, hoola-hoopers, aerialists, and lighted poi spinners. A belly dancer named Monica held the crowd enthralled with her sensuous dancing, and the performance was culminated in a huge performer “group hump” pile-up.
It was a fun crowd,” said The Muytator’s Atom. “We weren’t sure at first, because there was that whole too-hip-to-clap thing going on. But as soon as we started to do our thing there was a great energy. We’re used to people getting naked at our performances, and there were a few who did, so it was all good fun.”
