sexy, diverse and inspiring: welcome to the world of feminist porn

Imagine that a world existed where it was easy to access sexy, diverse and inspiring erotica that wasn’t solely focused on the pleasure of men. What about having access to sex-positive websites, photo galleries and erotic stories created for those who want a little more depth to and intimacy in their smut. What would it feel like, exploring sexuality through adult movies that shuck the mainstream formulae and deliver creative sex? Too good to be true? Not at all. A new wave of pornography is here – and it’s just for you.

To put a label on such a genre would be limiting and filmmakers describe their work differently: smart porn, slow porn, alternative porn, indie porn or erotic film. The general term: feminist porn. And don’t assume this means “made for lesbians”. Feminist porn caters for all sub-genres, and generally contains heterosexual sex. Award-winning feminist erotic filmmaker Anna Brownfield of Poison Apple Productions shares her concepts around defining this kind of pornography.

‘I think it’s varied … I think feminist porn is a movement that’s been happening worldwide …  probably the main thing is that it’s particularly focused on female fantasies, female sexuality and the depictions of that on screen. I think it’s also about exploring other types of bodies, other genders, you know, fluidity in sexuality.’

After graduating from Melbourne’s RMIT University with honours in Media Arts, Brownfield made a low-budget film called The Money Shot, which was released in Australia in 2007. In a reactionary response to the pornography that was around at the time, she continued to make films that contained sex and depictions of female sexuality that she wanted to see herself.

She adds: ‘I think that’s why the feminist porn movement has occurred, because it is actually a critique and a reaction against the mainstream industry.’

Co-founder of Sensate Films, Gala Vanting says, ‘Basically the work that we do is something that we call slow porn and this is a very intentional choice to separate ourselves from the sort of pornographic production machine … we spend a lot of time crafting the aesthetics, we spend a lot of time garnering a level of production value that we are happy with … it does end up feeling a little bit more like a collaborative art piece rather than a porno shoot.’

Those who have been put off by hardcore gonzo-type pornography – pornography that is degrading to women, or even just pornography that is targeted at male fantasy and pleasure – can breathe a sigh of relief. There is an alternative. Women, whether they are feminist or not, have more choice than ever when consuming sexual content.

Feminist adult filmmaker Ms. Naughty is one of many that have been bringing female-focused porn to both screen and Internet. Her first website, Porn for Women TV aims to guide women to quality websites and skin flicks. It contains a section called Where Can I Find Good Porn For Women? where genres are explained, website links are provided and directors are featured.

Ms. Naughty’s Bright Desire is a members-only site for men and women and features a collection of over 50 sub-genres. Almost everything is included: karma sutra, documentary, parody, couples, gay, male masturbation, older-younger, kink, BDSM and female ejaculation, among other things. These scenarios are well known in mainstream, but the difference here is that they are played out for the female’s pleasure.

Fellow sex-movie maker Petra Joy has long been advocating for female fantasies to be portrayed in porn. Joy funds and makes her own films that depict men as objects of women’s desires, approaching taboo subjects like male bisexuality and the male G-spot as an erogenous zone. The films are a “silicone-free zone” and showcase a range of natural bodies. Male performers are hired based on their ability to bring pleasure rather than the size of their penis. And there is no faking it – orgasms are the real deal.

For the lesbian, queer, transgender, indie and alternative folk, Pink Label is a queer feminist online streaming platform with a huge selection of films by different directors. Indie Porn Revolution is described as ‘subversive smut made by ladies, artists and queers’.

But what about the stigma attached to porn? Isn’t it morally bankrupt? Degrading to women? Certainly some is, but not all. Is there something wrong with using explicit material to get off? Or to find new ideas and see what other people are doing?

Leading Australian sex and relationships expert Cyndi Darnell says, ‘It’s not for me or you or anybody to sit and take the moral high ground and determine what’s allowed and what’s not allowed … there is a whole other set of rules placed on women around sexuality than what are placed on men and I would like to see that change. Women are perceived in a broader level as the gatekeepers of morality … if a woman has lower morals or morals that are comparable to that of men she’s somehow letting the team down.’

One can’t help but consider this: is it possible that some women don’t view pornography because they aren’t aware that there are sex films made for women, by women?

Feminism simply can be women making choices that affirm equality within the scope of their own world. Claiming a place in the multi-billion dollar pornography industry by purchasing adult content that caters for women’s tastes ensures that these types of films continue to be made, and creates a greater demand for female-driven sex movies.

Pornography is no longer a boy’s club. Tell your friends.