The XBIZ Europa Awards, presented by Satisfyer, returned to Berlin on Saturday night for its first in-person ceremony since 2019, following two virtual editions during the pandemic. The event, held at the Metropol Berlin, brought together adult performers and industry leaders from across Europe.

Event Overview and Venue

The 2022 XBIZ Europa Awards marked a grand return to an in-person format. The event took place at the Metropol Berlin in the Schoneberg district, a historical landmark built in 1906. The venue has a history of hosting theatrical and musical performances, including Shakespeare, German Expressionism, and techno, for over a century.

The red carpet for the awards was set up in front of the Metropol Berlin, an early modernist building recognized as an official state monument with Art Nouveau influences. Relief sculptures on the facade, depicting Dionysian rituals, overlooked the red carpet. Adult performers and business leaders queued for photographs, while passersby gathered as they recognized stars from adult scenes and movies.

The entrance, previously frequented by Berlin art and theater figures such as Erwin Piscator, George Grosz, and Bertolt Brecht, welcomed European adult talent. Red carpet host Zaawaadi, described as an African-German model known for her bare scalp and figure, greeted nominees. Zaawaadi wore a shimmering, multicolor mini gown and gold pleasers with a flower motif.

Attendees entered the Metropol lobby, which was restored in a vintage style reminiscent of its Weimar-era appearance. They proceeded to the main stage area, arranged with tables in the style of a Berlin cabaret or nightclub. Guests also utilized the classic bar or bottle service at VIP tables.

Co-hosts Cherry Kiss and Vince Karter opened the show. Cherry Kiss, wearing a gold gown, stated her excitement to share the stage with Vince Karter, referring to him as her "one true love" and "partner in crime." Karter, dressed in a jacketless grey vest suit, joined Kiss in acknowledging the challenges faced by the European community during the recent era, leading chants of "Fuck the pandemic" and "Fuck the war."

Award Presentations

The first award, for Best Glamcore Scene, was presented by Danny D. and Kiki Minaj. Kiki Minaj wore a back-baring green dress. Catherine Knight and Erik Everhard won for Private's "Friends With Benefits." Knight, in a flesh-color gown, accepted the award and later received a second award for Best Lesbian Sex Scene, shared with Scarlett Jones for Sex Art's "Sirens." Jones, in a green gown, thanked her and Knight's representative, Julia Grandi of Julmodels, and her fans.

Amber-Jayne announced LittleCaprice-Dreams.com as the winner for Performer/Director Site of the Year. Little Caprice, in a shoulderless black gown, accepted the award with Marcello Bravo, stating she did not expect to win for the second consecutive time. Bravo added, "we have the best job in the world!" Amber-Jayne then announced Lana Wolf as the Premium Social Media Star of the Year. Wolf, in a blue outfit with diagonal stripe stockings, acknowledged Scotland, Glasgow, and her Rangers soccer team.

Lotte Magne, in a white lace dress, and Sybil, in a lime green suit and purple shirt, presented awards for Best Innovative Sex Toy of the Year to the Tease Us Package by We-Vibe/Wow Tech, and Sex Lubricant Company of the Year to Pjur. Marco Castor accepted the award for Pjur. Magne and Sybil then presented the award for Fetish Product/Line of the Year to Lovehoney's Fifty Shades of Grey Sweet Anticipation. Anna Fragale accepted the award for Lovehoney.

MySweetApple, in matching red attire, presented the Emerging Web Brand of the Year award to LiveUnicorns and Virtual Reality Site of the Year to VRBangers.com. Mike Henigan of VR Bangers thanked XBIZ and the industry. Amira Adarah, in red pants, a black halter top, and a black fedora, along with Zaawaadi, presented Gonzo Film of the Year to "Rocco's Sex Clinic: Treatment 1" (Rocco Siffredi Films/Evil Angel) and Glamcore Film of the Year to Tushy's "Views 2." Director Julia Grandi, dressed in green, accepted the award for "Views 2."

Following an intermission, Lorenzo Viota and Mariska announced Zaawaadi and Maximo Garcia as winners for Best Sex Scene—Gonzo for Rocco Siffredi Films/Evil Angel's "The Spanish Stallion: Zaawaadi's Power of Wild Beauty." Zaawaadi returned to the stage to accept. Viota and Mariska also announced Sonya Blaze, Jia Lissa, and Manuel Ferrara as winners for Best Sex Scene—Feature Movie for Vixen's "Jia." Jia Lissa, in a backless, sparkling minidress, accepted the award and displayed "Pornography Is Art" written on her back.

Little Quirk announced Adrien Lastic's Inspiration as the Sex Toy Product of the Year—Powered (Vibrating). Genes Bebeshko of Adrian Lastic accepted the award. Little Quirk also announced Satisfyer as the Pleasure Products Company of the Year. Irina Krämer, in a pink gown, expressed her pleasure in representing Satisfyer and acknowledged her colleagues.

Sabien DeMonia, a Kink.com contract director and alt-model, presented the Best Acting award to Danny D. for "Deeper Space" (Digital Playground). DeMonia then announced Julia Grandi as Director of the Year. Grandi accepted the award, applauded by her company's models.

Callum and Cole, in jacketless formal attire with suspenders, and Goddess Lilith, in a transparent gown, announced Lola Rose as Best Clip Artist of the Year and Cara Vega as Cam Model of the Year. Vega thanked her mother, fans, and her ADHD. Valentina Nappi, in a Jean-Paul Gaultier-inspired gown, and Anna de Ville, in Gothic-chic attire, presented Feature Movie of the Year to Lust Cinema's "The Audience." Co-protagonist Romeo, who plays a detective in the film by Lidia Ravviso, accepted the award, calling it "the best movie I've ever been involved in." Nappi and de Ville then announced Scarlett Jones as Best New Performer, who thanked her fans and Julia Grandi.

Misha Cross, in a cowboy-inspired pink and black ensemble, announced the final awards. Vince Karter was named Male Performer of the Year. Tiffany Tatum, in a sparkling flapper-style minidress, was named Female Performer of the Year. Karter and Cherry Kiss returned as co-hosts to close the show.

Key Facts

  • The XBIZ Europa Awards, presented by Satisfyer, returned to an in-person format in Berlin on Saturday night, August 20, 2022.
  • This was the first in-person ceremony since 2019, following two virtual editions during the pandemic.
  • The event was held at the Metropol Berlin, a historical landmark built in 1906 in the Schoneberg district.
  • Zaawaadi served as the red carpet host, while Cherry Kiss and Vince Karter co-hosted the main awards ceremony.
  • Notable winners included Catherine Knight and Erik Everhard for Best Glamcore Scene, LittleCaprice-Dreams.com for Performer/Director Site of the Year, and Julia Grandi for Director of the Year.
  • Vince Karter was named Male Performer of the Year, and Tiffany Tatum was named Female Performer of the Year.