Chicago – Multi-award-winning, prolific director Jim Powers won one of the biggest awards at the 2026 XMAs, and one of his scenes was also awarded.
The 2026 XMAs were hosted by Violet Myers and Kazumi at the world-famous Hollywood Palladium. It was a star-studded red carpet and a packed house. Jim Powers was in attendance, and it was a good thing because his epic Gender X Films feature “Transpirella” took home the trophy for Best Trans Movie. The project was a passion project for Jim, who directed, wrote, and produced the film. Jim went on stage to accept his award, joined by cast members Ariel Demure (who played the lead), Kasey Kei, Jade Venus, Avery Lust, and Dom Cruise. It was his first XMA win, and the crowd went wild.
Jim’s “Trans Orgy” starring Ariel Demure, Tori Easton, Brittney Kade, Khloe Kay, Kasey Kei, Lola Morena, Jade Venus, Cherry Kiss, Michael DelRay, Wolf Hudson, Cliff Jensen, and Steve Rickz also won Best Sex Scene – Trans.
“I really enjoy my work, and this was something I passionately wanted to do for some time. It’s amazing to do what you love for work, but to also be awarded is just incredible. Ariel really killed it in the role, and everyone really brought it. ‘Transpirella’ turned out to be everything I wanted and more. Thank you, XBIZ, for the recognition,” says Jim Powers.
For a complete list of winners, visit xbiz.com/news/295271/2026-xma-winners-announced.
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, 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.