Erika Lust – 20 Years
This year marks two decades since Erika Lust made her first-ever erotic short film, embarking on a mission to expand the narrow perspective from which pornography was being made. In 2004, she decided that she was going to challenge the social perceptions of what porn could be and harness its power to upend patriarchal norms. Today Erika Lust has produced over 300 erotic films.
Over the last 20 years, Erika Lust has shown how cinema can be a tool for feeding the sexual imagination, building empathy, and shaping the way we perceive others; how representation on screen can foster inclusion and normalization in real life. Erika’s intention from the start has always been that her films serve as valuable references and catalysts for meaningful conversations, nurturing a deeper understanding of the nuances and intricacies of human sexual experiences.
“I believe that everybody deserves pleasure, that all bodies are inherently desirable, and their very existence is cause for celebration. I believe that pleasure is power and that by showing people of different genders, sexualities, races, sizes, and ages enjoying themselves, we can all begin picturing ourselves in control over our own sexuality. And dare to explore our desires more deeply”
Erika Lust
Since making “The Good Girl”, ERIKALUST has grown into a company that blurs the lines between porn and cinema; challenges gender norms; gives artists a platform to create without the restrictions imposed by data-driven algorithms; and has been an advocate for sex workers’ rights, sex education, and sex positivity.
In 2015, Erika gave her essential TEDx talk “It’s Time for Porn to Change”. Her story was featured in the Netflix documentary series “Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On (Women on Top)”, directed by Rashida Jones, and “Principles of Pleasure”, directed by Niharika Desai. In 2019, Erika was named one of the BBC 100 Women’s most influential women of the year, and in 2022, her alternative vision of porn was featured in The New York Times and in the BBC Three & HULU series “Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne”.
About the screening
As part of the Pornfilmfestival Berlin, we will host a special retrospective screening that celebrates Erika Lust’s legacy through a curated selection of her most impactful films. This program is designed to reflect the evolution of her vision across two decades, showcasing how her work has expanded the possibilities of erotic cinema and opened the door to more inclusive and authentic representations of sexuality.
Following the screening, Erika Lust herself will join the audience for an in-depth Q&A session. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions directly, hear personal insights, and learn more about the philosophy and experiences behind her filmmaking. The exchange will not only allow viewers to deepen their understanding of the films but also to engage in an open, honest, and inspiring conversation about sexuality, creativity, and representation in cinema.
Bringing these works to the big screen is in itself a powerful act: it transforms the solitary act of watching into a collective cultural event. Sitting together in a cinema, people from different backgrounds and perspectives can share in the emotions, ideas, and provocations that the films spark. This gathering creates space for dialogue, connection, and reflection in a way that is both playful and thought-provoking, making the screening more than just a showcase – it becomes a communal experience that brings people closer together.
Our curated program for the Berlin Porn Film Festival embraces a rich tapestry of styles and cinematic narratives, each exploring a different facet of pleasure. Far from being stylistically uniform, the films span moods – from dreamy mythological allegory to witty erotica – ensuring both visual variety and emotional resonance. This diversity invites viewers to experience how erotic cinema can operate as a medium for storytelling, embodiment, fantasy, ideology, and intimacy all at once.
Together, these works illustrate how the erotic can be cinematic in tone and texture, pushing us to think beyond tropes. They each tap into different modes of pleasure: mythic seduction, performative flair, playful whimsy, and sensual realism – creating a program that is as intellectually engaging as it is viscerally captivating.
Films
Down and dirty
(unreleased)
By: Erika Lust
OV + engl. UT
Addis Fouché and Mia Stone star in a sapphic, retro-inspired film where lust turns deliciously messy. Mud wrestling, femme dominance, and playful tension unfold in sweaty, raw intimacy. Between rough play and tender glances, desire takes center stage. The result is unfiltered, intimate, and gloriously erotic.
Siren Song
By: Erika Lust
With: Ariana Van X & Edi Santos
2023, 16 Min, OV + engl. UT
He feels the ocean pulling him in as her siren song grows irresistible. Longing for her embrace, he surrenders completely: “Take me in, siren, I am yours.” This ethereal and erotic film brings the ancient mermaid legend to life. Directed by Erika Lust, starring Ariana Van X & Edi Santos.
Madame Oh’s Shoeroom
By: Erika Lust
2024, 37 Min., OV + engl. UT
Madame Oh, a dominatrix with a stunning shoe collection, rules with stilettos and bold boots alike. Her submissive learns that kissing and licking these shoes is an act of worship. Each touch deepens their bond and explores the limits of pleasure. A luxurious journey into fetish, authority, and desire.
Sex Toy Story
By: Erika Lust
2024, 21 Min., OV + engl. UT
Are you into sex toys? Meet Bootie Fem, a young butt plug with feelings, desires, and loyal companions like Rabbit and Miss Bi. Forgotten in a drawer as their mistress finds a new lover, they long for past pleasures. But Bootie learns that true love always finds its way back.
Dirty Martini
Von: Erika Lust
2023, 22 Min., OV + engl. UT
Have you ever wondered what an orgy in the ’60s was like? Directed by Erika Lust and based on Cara D.’s confession, Dirty Martini explores the spirit of sexual liberation. The film captures the era’s mix of pleasure, self-expression, and freedom, culminating in a dazzling pansexual orgy. From BDSM to swinger and role-play, sex parties offer many forms – but always without pressure, only the liberty to enjoy.
