Championing the voices of our emergency service heroes and asking:
are we doing enough to rescue those who rescue us?
Out of the Fire
The Out of the Fire Initiative LLC includes an award-winning short film, feature film project in development, and multimedia production initiative - made by firefighters, for firefighters.
Established to raise awareness of emergency services mental health through storytelling and advocacy.
Through public engagement via multimedia film and video production, our mission is to educate, humanize, and inspire solidarity for emergency workers. We make the challenges faced by personnel visible, understood, and impossible to ignore - to drive meaningful change in protocols, training, and public policy.
Associations, partners and collaborators past and present of the founder
Awards and Official Selections
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Official Selection - Beverly Hills Film Festival
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Official Selection - Sherman Oaks Film Festival
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Official Selection - London Lift-Off Film Festival
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Award Winner - Independent Shorts Awards
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Award Winner - Indie Short Fest
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Award Winner - Cal Film Festival
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Award Winner - LA Film & Documentary Award
Film Update:
Out of the Fire began its festival journey in the fall 2024 after 2 years of development - earning its first official selection at Pinewood Studio's Lift-Off Global Network. Since then, the film has been officially selected by the Beverly Hills Film Festival, London Lift-Off Film Festival, Sherman Oaks Film Festival, and New York Film & Cinematography Awards, while also receiving recognition from the London Director Awards, UK Film Awards, Indie Short Fest, Independent Shorts Awards, LA Film & Documentary Award, and Cal Film Festival.
Awards and honours include Best Experimental Short, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design and multiple additional festival awards and nominations.
The project continues to evolve as both an award-winning short film and the foundation for the upcoming feature film adaptation and wider Out of the Fire initiative.
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."
Compelled by the loss of a colleague and my own battles, I created this film to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health and in solidarity for the emergency services.
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About the Founder
Maximilian Curnow is a former Surrey Firefighter and IEC - turned advocacy filmmaker. An award-winning director, cinematographer, writer, and composer, spearheading Out of the Fire - a multi faceted Firefighter wellbeing initiative centered around multimedia production, to engage and bridge the gap between the public and emergency worker wellbeing awareness. Informed by a 16+ year background in production working with Spitfire Audio, BBC and Universal - and a "boots on the floor” mentality cultivated through his previous work as a Firefighter and first responder - He is an O1B special ability Visa holder and Firefighter wellbeing advocate based between the UK and Los Angeles.
Maximilian's unique approach and creative vision marries together music, film and impactful storytelling from a position of unique, real world insight.
"After losing a good friend and colleague and struggling myself after a career ending injury, I’ve dedicated my voice to raise awareness about this cause. I established Out of the Fire to advocate for emergency service worker wellbeing through film, storytelling, public engagement and creative initiatives. The initiative's mission is to advocate for Emergency Service Worker Wellbeing, showcasing Firefighter voices through film, fundraising events and various creative initiatives.I've explored effective means of packaging prevention/safety initiatives so that the public can have a better understanding. UK firefighters are hugely unrepresented, and I'm doing what I can with this angle, to bring lesser understood wellness issues to the public in order to inspire positive change in UK services."
"This is a rare case of an individual who is able to be a successful artist and humanitarian simultaneously."
🔥 Firefighting & Advocacy Testimonials
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Karen Pointer – Group Commander, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service “Maxi’s acclaimed safety video led to a key media role within the fire service. His work helped secure national awards, including the Public Sector Transformation Awards – Working Together Gold Award, and a personal fire service award for outstanding contribution to reducing public risk.”
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Matthew England – Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Manager, NHS
“Maxi made critical contributions as a firefighter and media lead, producing essential video content for Fire, Ambulance and Police services that improved communication and public safety. His multi-faceted talents were instrumental in helping achieve national recognition and awards.” -
Jim Glover, OBE – High Sheriff of Surrey
“I have rarely, if ever, attended such a powerful, hard hitting, perfectly organised, impactful event (SDSA) – congratulations to everyone involved with this excellent initiative.” -
Kay Hammond – Cabinet Associate, Surrey County Council
“This video produced by one of Surrey’s own firefighters powerfully brings home the message.”
🎬 Entertainment & Media Industry Testimonials -
Dan Pursey – Engineer (Celine Dion, Biffy Clyro)“An elite multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer—Maxi stands in the top tier of talent we’ve worked with.”
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Dan Lancaster – Producer (MUSE, Blink-182, BMTH) “Maxi operates at a rare standard across directing, Pro Tools, and production—worthy of the high reputation he holds in music and video.”
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Peter Lauer – Director (Scrubs, Gilmore Girls, Arrested Development)
“Maxi’s ingenuity, emotional storytelling, technical brilliance and fearless drive are simply astonishing. His work on international award-winning productions stands as a testament to his talent. He’s the kind of whirlwind artist I hope to be in business with.” -
Sam Lewis – Cinematographer (James Bond, Jurassic World)“Maxi builds his own lenses and rigs, with visual storytelling skills shaped by his firefighting background—his work is striking and highly respected.”
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Oli Morgan – Mastering Engineer, Abbey Road Studios“Maxi’s mastering on Fire By the Silos earned over 4M streams and charted #45. His ear and detail place him at the top of the craft.”
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Rabea Massaad – Toska, Ernie Ball“Maxi consistently pushes creative boundaries. His dedication and collaborations with industry leaders reflect his standout talent.”
