Twenty-six nominations in your rookie season as a director? That’s not a breakout year—that’s a goddamn earthquake.
MAD Creativity, the guy who used to just shoot stills for Playboy and Wicked—stepped behind the camera for Elegant Angel in 2024 and absolutely torched the place. AVN and XMA just dropped their 2026 nominee lists and the man’s name is all over them like cum on a gonzo money shot.
From Stills to Features: The Fastest Rise in Years
Dude started in Florida twenty years ago doing boudoir and mainstream gigs, then moved out west and became one of those photographers every star wanted on set. Fast-forward to this year and Elegant Angel hands him the keys. Result? Six heavyweight titles and one monster nomination haul.
The Personal Crown: Best Directing Portfolio – Narrative
That single AVN nod for Best Directing Portfolio – Narrative is the one that really matters. It puts him in the same conversation as veterans who’ve been grinding for decades. Not bad for a guy whose first feature debut dropped less than twelve months ago.
The Movies That Did the Damage
Let’s run the tapes:
- Red Door: An Octavia Red Showcase – snagged Best Cinematography, Best Star Showcase, and a scorching three-way nomination.
- Shared: A Hotwife Origin Story – going for Grand Reel, Best Screenplay, and Best Couples Movie.
- Kenna James is Slutwoman – double-nominated for showcase + blowbang + her first-ever career-first scene nom.
- Cats Eye: A Nicole Kitt Showcase – another showcase sweep plus a female-led blowbang orgy nod.
Throw in MILF Dreams 2 for Best Vignette and a scene in Jodi West Goes Gonzo and you see why the industry is buzzing.
What He Actually Said When the News Hit
“I could never have imagined when I started out doing photography that I would have an opportunity to direct features… Still can’t believe it!”
– MAD Creativity
Humble, yeah, but the work isn’t. The guy soaked up game from Stormy Daniels, Mike Quasar, Jacky St. James, and Ricky Greenwood for years. Now he’s the one getting the flowers.
Why This Actually Matters
In an era when half the new directors are churning wall-to-wall gonzo or OnlyFans collabs, MAD went full narrative, full production value, full star showcase—the stuff Elegant Angel built its legend on. And the voters noticed. Hard.
If he walks away with even half these trophies in January, we’re looking at the arrival of a major player who could be collecting Director of the Year hardware for the next decade.
XMA Awards hit the Hollywood Palladium January 18. AVN Awards follow January 24 in Vegas. Mark the dates, because a new name is about to get etched in gold.
Welcome to the big leagues, MAD Creativity. Don’t slow down now.
