Chicago – Multi-award-winning, prolific director and old-school punk rock bassist Jim Powers’ epic Gender X Films feature “Transpirella” continues to slay and has scored another nomination. This time, the campy sci-fi horror adventure-filled feature has scored Jim his first AltStar Awards nomination.
“Transpirella,” inspired by the cut classic comic book Vampirella, was Jim Power’s passion project of 2025 with an all-star cast including Ariel Demure in the title role, Joel Someone as Dr. Van Helsing, and Dom Cruise as Dracula, along with Kasey Kei, Gracie Jane, Jade Venus, Gal Ritchie, Haven Rose, Avery Lust, and Andylynn Payne. The feature has built a cult following and continues to slay at the awards show. Now it’s up for Best AltPorn Feature Video in the AltStar Awards.
To #rockthevote for “Transpirella” starring Ariel Demure from Gender X, go to https://altporn.net/010-altstar-awards-2026-best-altporn-feature-video, look for the name of the feature and studio, click the bubble next to it, and smash the “SUBMIT VOTE” button. You can vote once every 24 hours.
“I love this movie is up for categories outside the trans realm and has been nominated for so many award shows. The fans are really enjoying this film, and it’s a trip to be up for my first AltStar Awards nomination. Keep voting—let’s take this trophy home,” says Jim Powers.
Presented by Bad Dragon, the AltStar Awards are set to take place in Las Vegas on June 14th with a red carpet, industry-leading gift bags, and an open bar. Hosted by Jeffrey Dammit and Malice McMunn, it’s the event of the season for all the ALT creators, performers, cam stars, and more. More details about the event, nominees, and more can be found at altporn.net/news/2026/05/07/2026-altstarawards-nominees.
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.