Candida Royalle Doc 'Candice' Sets Film Fest Premiere

Candida Royalle Doc 'Candice' Sets Film Fest Premiere

VANCOUVER — “Candice,” the much-anticipated documentary chronicling the life and career of Candida Royalle, the late feminist filmmaker and erotica pioneer, will have its film festival world premiere later this month.

“Candice,” directed by Sheona McDonald, will screen Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 12, at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival in Vancouver. The film “goes beyond the headlines to craft a layered portrait of the woman behind the icon, capturing [Royalle] in her sixties when, confronted with an ovarian cancer diagnosis, she is eager to tell her story in her words and to confront questions that have haunted her since childhood,” said a festival rep. “ ‘Candice’ is ultimately a tribute to a resilient woman who unapologetically carved her own path. The dialogue she brought forward on sex positivity and women’s sexual autonomy echoes far beyond the adult film industry."

Selina Crammond, DOXA’s director of programming, spoke to the Vancouver Sun about McDonald’s efforts to create a personalized story of a woman who spent years standing in the glare of a spotlight, facing public scrutiny.

"What Sheona managed to do was a build a relationship with her over many years and capture a beautiful look at who she had become and some of her personal challenges and traumas,” said Crammond. “I think it is a really beautiful portrait of a woman worth celebrating."

Royalle’s 1978 film “Hot and Saucy Pizza Girls,” the doc reveals, was among the first to use the pizza-delivery trope. However, Royalle — born Candice Vadala — realized “the patriarchy of porn could be challenged,” writes the Sun, “and soon she put her focus on producing movies rather than starring in them.” The result was Femme Productions, founded in 1984.

The “feminist porn” concept kept Royalle in the headlines for decades, but McDonald was determined to dig deeper with her film despite a shoestring budget of $70,000.  “I think she is interesting to talk about because there is a lot there. I think it’s a complicated subject,” said McDonald. “It has four threads and that was part of the challenge and why it took so long. How do you weave these stories? … I kept coming back to the idea that it’s a good story — a story that should be told, so I kept picking it back up.”

Find “Candice” on the DOXA festival website and follow the fest on Twitter. Find McDonald on Twitter here and the "Candice" Twitter handle here. See the film's official poster below.

Images source.

Candice (2019) documentary poster.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Angela White Stars in New Interactive Scene From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with reigning and two-time XMAs Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in a new interactive release from Brazzers, titled “Taking Angela Back To Your Place.”

Marvin Love Directs 'Rich and Horny Weirdos' for Brazzers

Brazzers has released a new scene directed by Marvin Love, titled “Rich and Horny Weirdos.”

Julia James, Sage Hunter Topline 'Lesbian Sister In-Laws' Sequel

Julia James and Sage Hunter headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sister In-Laws 2.”

Jade Greene Fronts Latest From TeamSkeet

Jade Greene stars with Nicky Rebel in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Bree Mills Wraps Production on Pure Taboo Thriller 'Let Me In Too'

Adult Time has announced that production has wrapped on the Bree Mills thriller sequel "Let Me In Too."

Emma Rosie, Rebel Rhyder Topline Latest Volume of 'Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls'

Emma Rosie and Rebel Rhyder headline Brian Gozzling’s “Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls 28” from Evil Angel.

Agatha Vega Fronts Latest From Ricky's Room

Reigning XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Agatha Vega stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Agatha Habla Sucio."

Taylor Vixxen Makes Her MILFY Debut

Taylor Vixxen has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY, alongside Dan Damage.

Catherine Knight Makes Her Vixen Debut

Catherine Knight has made her Vixen debut alongside Dan Damage.

Andi Avalon Headlines 'Slutty Nurses 3' From Reality Junkies

Andi Avalon toplines the third volume of "Slutty Nurses" from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.

Show More