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Film Update: "Out of the Fire"
My short film/POC is based on my personal experiences as a firefighter and trauma care responder. I built various rigs and adapted vintage projector lenses to recreate looks and feelings, such as flashbacks and disorientation.
Ahead of its official release Summer 2025, "Out of the Fire" has already gathered multiple award nominations and wins, including Best: Director, Experimental Short, Sound Design and Cinematography (see below for more)
Logline
"A firefighter is haunted by the silent burden of an unresolved tragedy,
denial extinguishing the passions and relationships that once defined him. Devoted to saving others, he must finally confront the one rescue he’s always avoided —his own."
My debut as a writer, director, DP, and lead actor, it was entirely self-funded and made possible by the generosity of my former fire crew and local village community in the UK - I have also written and produced all of the music for the film.
Compelled by the loss of a colleague and my own battle with PTSD, I created this film to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health and in solidarity for the emergency services.
The Fundraiser
Maximilian Curnow
Director - Cinematographer - Writer - Composer
About the Filmmaker
Maximilian Curnow is an award-winning director, cinematographer, writer, and composer, informed by an extensive background in production and composition working with Spitfire Audio, BBC and Universal -
and a "boots on the floor” mentality cultivated through his work as a firefighter and first responder.

Maximilian's unique approach and creative vision marries together music, film and impactful storytelling from a position of unique, real world insight.
Equipment
Lenses are everything:
Vintage Lens and specialist custom lenses and special techniques such as modified lens whacking, make Maximilian's productions particularly gripping and visually unique.
Maximilian uses vintage glass from:
Zeiss
Contax Zeiss
Mamiya
Cannon FD
Helios
Custom Lenses
One of a kind lenses built by Maximilian himself - using the elements of renowned manufacturers - Including sought after projector lenses from the 40's onwards adapted to fit modern cameras.