OUT OF THE FIRE
"CHANGE BEGINS BY MAKING PEOPLE CARE."
Founded by former firefighter-turned-filmmaker Maximilian Curnow,
Out of the Fire Initiative LLC uses film, storytelling and live events to bring audiences into urgent conversations they might otherwise never encounter.
Made by firefighters, for firefighters - raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing challenges through award-winning storytelling and advocacy.
Our mission is to educate, humanize, and inspire solidarity for emergency workers around the globe.
An award-winning short film. Â Â A fundraising event. Â Â A feature in development.
A STORY BORN FROM fRONTLINE EXPERIENCE
Out of the Fire has received 15 awards and 4 nominations across its festival run
including recognition for Outstanding Drama, direction, original music and performances.
SELECTED AWARD RECOGNITION
Sherman Oaks Film FestivalÂ
Outstanding Short Film – Drama
WIN
London Director Awards
Best Director – Indie Short
WIN
Cal Film Festival
Best Foreign Short
WIN
Indie Short Fest
Best First Time Director (Male)
WIN
Beverly Hills Film Festival
Official Selection
Independent Shorts Awards
Best Experimental Short of the Year
WIN
THE STORY CONTINUES
The award-winning short now serves as proof of concept for a feature film in development in Los Angeles.
​
Writer-director Maximilian Curnow and screenwriter Peter Lauer, whose directing credits include Malcolm in the Middle, Arrested Development, Scrubs and Pushing Daisies, are expanding the story through lived frontline experience, more than a decade of research and consultation with emergency-service professionals.
EVENT:
Â
OUT OF THE FIRE:VOICES BEHIND THE SIRENS
DECEMBER 14, 2026 · LOS ANGELES
A special evening bringing together film, conversation, live storytelling, music and frontline voices exploring the realities faced by firefighters and emergency workers behind the uniform — presented in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
PROGRAM
OUT OF THE FIRE SCREENING / PUBLIC LAUNCH
The official public launch of the award-winning short film.
BEHIND THE SHIELD LIVE
James Geering
CALM AMIDST CHAOS
Captain Erik Scott
WELLBEING RESOURCES
01
FROM FIREFIGHTER TO FILMMAKER
Maximilian Curnow is a British writer-director and composer based in Los Angeles. Before moving into filmmaking full-time, he served as a firefighter and Immediate Emergency Care responder in the United Kingdom, where he began creating films inspired by frontline experience for award-winning national safety campaigns. Out of the Fire brings together more than a decade of research with his work as a writer, director, cinematographer, editor and composer.
CREDIBILITY & RESEARCH
Establishing the foundation for a feature-length narrative through rigorous research and authentic industry consultation.
RESEARCH
10+ YEARS
PROOF
15 WINS
IN SUPPORT OF
NFFF
MISSION
WIDER IMPACT
THE INITIATIVE
Out of the Fire uses film, storytelling and live events to bring the realities faced by emergency workers and their families into wider public conversation.
EMERGENCY SERVICE ADVOCACY • CHARITABLE PARTNERSHIPS • LIVED EXPERIENCE • STORYTELLING • WELLBEING • EMERGENCY WORKER SUPPORT •
DECEMBER 14, 2026 · LOS ANGELES
OUT OF THE FIRE: VOICES BEHIND THE SIRENS
A special evening bringing together film, conversation, live storytelling, music and frontline voices exploring the realities faced by firefighters and emergency workers behind the uniform.
VENUE
Directors Guild of America
MISSION
Supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
ATTENDANCE
Firefighters, emergency workers and invited guests attend free of charge.