Multi-award-winning, prolific director and old-school punk rock bassist Jim Powers’ epic Gender X Films feature “Transpirella” continues its winning streak. On Sunday night, the campy sci-fi, horror, and adventure-filled feature won its third industry award this year.
Jim Power’s passion project, “Transpirella,” inspired by the cut classic comic book Vampirella, has been a hit with fans and critics. With an all-star cast and Ariel Demure in the title role, it won its first AltStar Award this past weekend. Sunday night, the AltStar Awards took place at the Bizarre Bar in Downtown Las Vegas’ art district. Hosted by MC Jeffrey Dammit and trophy goddess Malice McMunn and presented by Bad Dragon, the red-carpet event was standing-room-only. Unfortunately, neither Jim nor the cast or crew could attend, but just like the lead character, the feature was unstoppable and took home the stunning crystal trophy for Best AltPorn Feature Video.
“We had some tough competition, but the fans really got out there and voted. I really appreciate all the love ‘Transpirella’ has received. Thank you to all the fans who voted, to our PR team for pushing so hard, and, of course, to everyone at AltStar. We’re honored and sorry we couldn’t be there,” says Jim Powers.
For more about AltStar Expo and the weekend of events, visit altstarexpo.com.
ABOUT JIM POWERS
Jim Powers is one of the most prolific directors of our time, known for his controversial work, and once told Forbes he wants to be the Warren Buffett of porno. Growing up in the Valley in the 1970s, Jim was influenced by comic books, horror movies, fan magazines, and skateboarding, and in the 1980s, all he wanted to do was be a punk rocker and skateboarder. After graduating from Cal State Northridge, he became a stockbroker, a DVD distributor, and a part-time pornographer.
In 1992, while gambling in Bally’s in Vegas, Jim wandered into the AVN Awards and decided he could make a better movie than most people there for $5k—he and his friend put up $2500 each to make “The Hills Have Thighs.” Kevin Beachum of Midnight Pictures encouraged him to shoot amateurs on the beach, even though he had never even picked up a camera. While shooting on the beach in Malibu, his set was shut down, and he was hit with felony charges of pandering and conspiracy. He continued to shoot at private houses and swinger parties for Beachum and other companies to cover his legal bills.
In 1993, a chance meeting with Jeff Mike of JM Productions led to history when the two joined forces, regularly pushing the limits of sex while still staying out of prison. Jim helped them roll out their bukkake line and invented American Bukkake—Downtown Larry Melrose from the Howard Stern Show was frequently on his sets. Jim had his own company, Powersville, and directed for legendary adult studios Heatwave, Mayhem, Sin City, Notorious, Immoral Productions, and Smash Pictures. Currently, he directs for Gender X, Devil's Film, BiPhoria, Dogfart, Adult Time, Transfixed, and Fantasy Massage, and averages over 300 scenes per year. In 2023, ASN Lifestyle Magazine profiled him with a 10-page feature.
With 50 performer credits and thousands of scenes as a director, Jim won Director of the Year (Body of Work) and Best Director – Non-Feature from the AVN Awards and was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2005 and Best Trans Movie from the XMAs in 2026. He's also scored countless AVN Awards, XMAs, XRCOs, AltStar, Bazowie!, and AEBN's VOD Awards nominations.
During the Black Flag era, Jim sported a mohawk and toured in punk rock bands. He still plays bass in the punk rock band Killroy at high-end venues like Roxy, Viper Room, and Knitting Factory. Follow his adventures on set, learn more about his upcoming scenes and features, and when he plays punk rock live on stage by checking out his X @jimpowersxxx.
