A Night at Copacabana: The 1981 Critics Adult Film Awards

A Night at Copacabana: The 1981 Critics Adult Film Awards

The Rialto Report recently acquired archives relating to the Critics Adult Film Association (CAFA) – the New York-based group of East Coast adult sex film critics, which bestowed awards upon those working in pornographic film during the 1980s.

The records consist of hundreds of photos and documents relating to the personnel who formed part of the organization, and the stars of the industry at the time – including Gerard Damiano, Gloria Leonard, John Leslie, Candida Royalle, and many others.

The first CAFA awards were first presented in 1981, honoring the movies of the previous year, and the winners were as follows:

We present previously unpublished photographs from the first CAFA awards ceremony.

All photographs are © and owned by The Rialto Report.

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Candida RoyalleCandida Royalle (and Richard Milner)

 

Critics Film AwardsColette Connor and Richard Milner – CAFA members

 

Critics Film AwardsGloria Leonard (right)

 

Critics Adult Film AwardsColette Connor and Larry Revene

 

Critics Adult Film AwardsAnnie Sprinkle, Howard Farber, Veronica Vera

 

Critics Adult Film AwardsBill Slobodian, John Leslie, Gloria Leonard

 

Diane BucciDiane Bucci

 

Howard FarberHoward Farber

 

Critics Adult Film

 

Gloria LeonardGloria Leonard, Bobby Astyr

 

Annie SprinkleVeronica Vera, Howard Farber, Annie Sprinkle

 

Al GoldsteinAl Goldstein, Richard Milner

 

Anthony SpinelliAl Goldstein, Anthony Spinelli, John Leslie

 

John LeslieDave Friedman, Bobby Astyr, John Leslie

 

John LeslieGloria Leonard, John Leslie

 

Candida RoyalleCandida Royalle, Al Goldstein

 

Critics Adult Film Awards

 

Chuck VincentChuck Vincent, Candida Royalle, Larry Revene

 

Al GoldsteinAl Goldstein, Candida Royalle

 

John LeslieGloria Leonard, John Leslie

 

Anthony SpinelliAnthony Spinelli

 

Gerard DamianoVeronica Vera, Annie Sprinkle, Gerard Damiano

 

Gerard DamianoGerard Damiano

 

Al GoldsteinAl Goldstein

 

Ron SullivanRon Sullivan

 

Gloria LeonardRichard Milner, Gloria Leonard

 

Critics Adult Film AwardsColette Connor

 

Richard MilnerRichard Milner, Gloria Leonard

 

Richard MilnerColette Connor, Richard Milner

 

Larry ReveneLarry Revene

 

Ron SullivanRon Sullivan (Henri Pachard) and Gloria Leonard

 

Larry ReveneLarry Revene, Colette Connor

 

Candida RoyalleCandida Royalle

 

Critics Adult Film Awards

 

Richard MilnerRichard Milner, Gloria Leonard

 

Critics Adult Film Awards

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  • Posted On: 7th August 2022
  • By: Ashley West
  • Under: Photos

22 Comments

  1. Veronica Vera · August 7, 2022 Reply

    OMG! It’s so great to see these photos and so helpful to know the year was 1981. I was so new to the biz then, thankfully introduced by my bestie Annie Sprinkle. I had fun flirting with Howard Farber – I like the nerdy, cute, rich – look. I would soon know Candida and learn that yes, she was always, always ready for the camera with a gorgeous ruby red smile. Who knew that Gloria and Ron Sullivan were destined for a love affair a few years later. Pat Reshen, a workaholic sexbomb with excellent editorial acumen. Of course, Milner won for best song. He was always singing excerpts from his forthcoming Darwin musical. I wish I knew the month, to know if this was before or after i made my first movie, Consenting Adults with Damiano. A friendly couple I chatted with at CAFA told me before they owned a chain of porno house, they were showing European art movies. I’d seen “I’m a Woman” In New Jersey at one of their theaters. I loved that glitzy dress so much I had a second one, same style but blue with pink and white flowers, example of 70’s fashion, my favorite. As I write my memoir of the 80’s these pics and your site are priceless. Thank you.xoxox

  2. Scott H. · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Glad to see you’re back in action… Missed ya!

  3. Chris Koenig · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Nice to see the ‘Mighty Monarch of the Exploitation Film World’ himself, David F. Friedman, hanging around with Bobby Astyr and John Leslie!

  4. Rik K · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Seeing Candida’s heart-stoppingly beautiful smile at the top, made the weeks-long wait for new RR content totally worth it! After all’s said and done, it is the smiles of my favourite adult goddesses that I most wish to remember them by.

  5. Jeff Robertson · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Awesome Article Keep Up Good Work Hopefully Will Be Interview Podcast Danni Ashe And Peter North

  6. Cathy Gigante-Brown · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Loved seeing these. Everyone was so young and beautiful.

  7. Mort · August 7, 2022 Reply

    Candida Royale was so stunning

  8. Greg · August 8, 2022 Reply

    Who is Diane Bucci?

  9. Russ · August 8, 2022 Reply

    I think The Rialto Report should do a piece on “When did pubic hair suddenly disappear?”

    (Slightly tongue in cheek, but only slightly…)

  10. donny · August 8, 2022 Reply

    I didn’t realize how much smoking was going on. No wonder it contributed to a lot of early deaths.

  11. Dan Simmons · August 9, 2022 Reply

    The best website on film is BACK! Thanks for these stunning pictures. It’s feels like they were taken last weekend, there’s an immediacy to them. So sad that almost every person shown has passed – thank goodness for VV and Annie!

  12. Paul Peters · August 9, 2022 Reply

    Stunning picture la unearthed after 40+ years. Thank you RR. This would be lost history without your efforts. All thanks to you.

  13. Luvagap-toothedsmile · August 11, 2022 Reply

    How many years of the CAFA awards did you purchase? Will you post all of them? Those pictures were terrific to see!

  14. The Swanage · August 19, 2022 Reply

    Great pics! Candida Royalle was especially pretty. And always cool to see John Leslie off screen just chilling and hanging.

  15. mb · March 28, 2024 Reply

    who is the woman in white with john leslie?

  16. OTM1888 · June 18, 2024 Reply

    I am intrigued by Diane Bucci. Woman looks absolutely stacked. Did she ever do shoots? From IMDB, look like editor only. Seems like a waste. Anyone know?

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