Claudia Ross Lands Two Major NightMoves Award Nominations

James Sterling · 2026-07-23

Claudia Ross, the acclaimed adult filmmaker, has just scored two major nominations at the 2026 NightMoves Awards. She's up for Best Feature Director and Best Feature Film for her atmospheric thriller, *Through Her Lens*. This is a big deal in the adult industry, and it's got everyone talking. Ross's film, released through Elegant Angel and starring Octavia Red, has been on a winning streak. It got a rave review from XBIZ in January, an Editor's Choice nod from AVN in April, and in May, Ross took home three trophies at Italy's DSN Awards. That's a career milestone for the Italian-born director, writer, and editor. ### The NightMoves Awards: A Big Stage The NightMoves Awards are the longest-running regional adult awards in the U.S., and they've been going since 1993. They're unique because they're fan-based and were the first to use internet voting. The 34th annual event will cap off a weekend in Tampa Bay, starting October 7 and ending with the awards show on October 11 at The Stockyard in Holiday, Florida. Voting is open until September 1, and each IP address gets one vote. To make your vote count, you need to vote in at least six categories. Fans can support Ross at nightmovesonline.com. ### What Makes *Through Her Lens* Special? *Through Her Lens* isn't just another adult film. It's a stylish, emotionally charged production that blends eroticism with character-driven storytelling. Ross's background shines through here. She worked for 25 years as Axel Braun's closest collaborator, handling editing, art direction, and production design. That experience gave her a deep understanding of moviemaking, from concept to final cut. Ross's debut feature, *The Hunger*, came out two years ago and was written by Braun. It introduced her as a director with a refined visual sensibility. Now, *Through Her Lens* builds on that promise, showcasing her ability to create mood and atmosphere while telling a compelling story. ### A Director with a Legacy Ross is the daughter of the late director Ugo Ross, so adult cinema is in her DNA. She shares a rare distinction with Axel Braun: both are Italian-born, second-generation directors who inherited a legacy and carved out their own creative identities. For 25 years, Ross worked behind the scenes on some of Braun's most successful productions, learning the craft from the inside. That background gives her a unique perspective. She understands pacing, performance, and visual style in a way that few directors do. And it shows in her work. ### What's Next for Claudia Ross? Ross recently wrapped her latest feature, *Cherry On Top*, also written by Braun and starring Cherry Kiss and Octavia Red. It's another project that promises to blend sensuality with strong storytelling. Fans are already buzzing about it. For now, the focus is on the NightMoves Awards. Ross is up against some tough competition, but her track record speaks for itself. Whether she wins or not, her career is on an upward trajectory. ### How to Vote and Show Support If you want to support Ross, head to nightmovesonline.com before September 1. Remember, you need to vote in at least six categories for your ballot to count. And you can only vote once per IP address, so make it count. You can also connect with Ross on X at @TheClaudiaRoss to stay updated on her projects and the awards. ### The Bottom Line Claudia Ross is a director to watch. Her nominations for Best Feature Director and Best Feature Film at the 2026 NightMoves Awards are well-deserved, and her career is only getting started. With a strong debut and a growing body of work, she's proving that second-generation talent can shine just as bright as the originals. Keep an eye on the awards show this October. It's going to be a big night for Ross, no matter what happens.