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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 grapples with PTSD and stage fright, navigating life as an aspiring musician after a life-changing event in the emergency services—learning to ask for help and heal in humorous, heartfelt ways."
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, which will be available as a full album upon release.
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.
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.