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Internet Adult Film Database

The Internet Adult Film Database (IAFD) is an online database that catalogs information about the pornography industry, including performers, directors, studios, distributors, and films.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Internet Adult Film Database (IAFD) is an online database that catalogs information about the pornography industry, including performers, directors, studios, distributors, and films. It is publicly searchable and is often described as the adult-film equivalent of IMDb.

Overview

IAFD is a database and website devoted to the adult film industry. It indexes films and industry personnel and is designed for public searching.

History

The database is associated with Peter van Aarle, who began collecting information in the early 1980s and is credited with the project’s origins. Later sources say the site launched in 1995 and continued after his death in 2005.

Content and structure

IAFD includes records for pornographic films, actors, actresses, directors, studios, and distributors. Several sources note that it resembles IMDb in structure and purpose.

Scope

The database includes material on films produced outside the United States when a U.S. release exists or when the entry concerns the U.S. version. Reported database sizes differ across sources and years.

Key facts

  • IAFD is a public, searchable online database focused on the adult film industry.
  • It covers performers, directors, studios, distributors, and pornographic films.
  • The site is commonly compared to IMDb because of its searchable database format.
  • Peter van Aarle is identified in multiple sources as the person who began collecting the data that became IAFD.
  • The site launched in 1995 according to summary sources and remains online.
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Canadian context

IAFD is relevant to Canadian readers as a widely used reference resource for adult-film credits and industry history, including productions involving Canadian performers or releases.

Frequently asked questions

What does IAFD stand for?
It stands for Internet Adult Film Database.
What is IAFD used for?
It is used to look up information about adult films and the people and companies associated with them.
Is IAFD publicly accessible?
Yes. Sources describe it as open to the public and searchable.
When was IAFD launched?
Summary sources state that the site launched in 1995.
Who created IAFD?
Sources credit Peter van Aarle with originating the project by collecting adult-film data before the site’s launch.
What kind of entries does IAFD contain?
It contains entries for films, performers, directors, studios, and distributors in the adult film industry.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Adult_Film_Database
    Supports: General description of IAFD as a public searchable adult-film database, comparable to IMDb.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Adult_Film_Database
    Supports: Launch year, current online status, and basic scope of the database.
  3. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Adult_Film_Database
    Supports: Origins associated with Peter van Aarle and volunteer maintenance after his death.
  4. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAFD
    Supports: Scope, public searchability, and treatment of non-U.S. films with U.S. releases.
  5. Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/インターネット・アダルト・フィルム・データベース
    Supports: Launch year and reported database size figures.
  6. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1052713
    Supports: Canonical name, description as an online database of adult films and actors, and official website identifier.