LONDON — Inspired by the success of the U.S. AVN Awards, Britain is poised to introduce its own ceremony to honor the achievements of its country’s erotic filmmakers, performers, and miscellaneous tech talent. “In time the Adult Film Awards will be bigger than the Oscars,” predicts Nizzi Nkwocha, a representative for the UK gala.

Set to occur at London’s Hammersmith Palais on November 17th, the UK Adult Film Awards aims to “highlight performances from x-rated actors and actresses from across the country” and will include 37 categories, including gay and transsexual.

Nkwocha says that “The awards will bring adult films into the mainstream. It recognizes that men and women appearing in these movies are talented professionals and should be praised for their best work.”

With a strong response from the UK adult industry and 400 attendees anticipated, the event will give British admirers the first opportunity to see the best of the best collected and honored in one place.

According to Nkwocha, the awards — which are promoted by Redzone Pictures and the UK Adult Producers Trade Association — have the goal of helping promote the adult industry’s achievements and give voice to its members, particularly when dealing with political entities including the British Board of Film Classification, which first allowed hardcore R18 films in 1997. The UK porn industry is estimated to be worth nearly $2 million.