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:
- Best Film:
- Best Actor: John Leslie (Talk Dirty To Me)
- Best Actress: Samantha Fox (Tramp)
- Best Director
- Best Supporting Actor
- Gerard Damiano Special Achievement Award
We present previously unpublished photographs from the first CAFA awards ceremony.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 Royalle (and Richard Milner)
Colette Connor and Richard Milner – CAFA members
Gloria Leonard (right)
Colette Connor and Larry Revene
Annie Sprinkle, Howard Farber, Veronica Vera
Bill Slobodian, John Leslie, Gloria Leonard
Diane Bucci
Howard Farber
Gloria Leonard, Bobby Astyr
Veronica Vera, Howard Farber, Annie Sprinkle
Al Goldstein, Richard Milner
Al Goldstein, Anthony Spinelli, John Leslie
Dave Friedman, Bobby Astyr, John Leslie
Gloria Leonard, John Leslie
Candida Royalle, Al Goldstein
Chuck Vincent, Candida Royalle, Larry Revene
Al Goldstein, Candida Royalle
Gloria Leonard, John Leslie
Anthony Spinelli
Veronica Vera, Annie Sprinkle, Gerard Damiano
Gerard Damiano
Al Goldstein
Richard Milner, Gloria Leonard
Colette Connor
Richard Milner, Gloria Leonard
Colette Connor, Richard Milner
Larry Revene
Ron Sullivan (Henri Pachard) and Gloria Leonard
Larry Revene, Colette Connor
Candida Royalle
Richard Milner, Gloria Leonard
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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
What wonderful memories – thank you for sharing them!
Great! Thanks for sharing your memories with us!
Glad to see you’re back in action… Missed ya!
Nice to see the ‘Mighty Monarch of the Exploitation Film World’ himself, David F. Friedman, hanging around with Bobby Astyr and John Leslie!
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.
Awesome Article Keep Up Good Work Hopefully Will Be Interview Podcast Danni Ashe And Peter North
Loved seeing these. Everyone was so young and beautiful.
Candida Royale was so stunning
Who is Diane Bucci?
I was wondering the same thing!
Diane’s IMDB page for reference: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2086894/
I think The Rialto Report should do a piece on “When did pubic hair suddenly disappear?”
(Slightly tongue in cheek, but only slightly…)
I didn’t realize how much smoking was going on. No wonder it contributed to a lot of early deaths.
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!
Thanks Dan!
Stunning picture la unearthed after 40+ years. Thank you RR. This would be lost history without your efforts. All thanks to you.
We really appreciate that Paul!
How many years of the CAFA awards did you purchase? Will you post all of them? Those pictures were terrific to see!
Great pics! Candida Royalle was especially pretty. And always cool to see John Leslie off screen just chilling and hanging.
who is the woman in white with john leslie?