WRITER
DIRECTOR
FOUNDER
Maximilian Curnow is a former firefighter - turned-writer director who draws on firsthand frontline experience to bring authenticity to stories about life inside the emergency services.
His award-winning work explores the people behind the uniform - those who respond to others on their worst days, and the often unseen psychological and emotional toll that work can carry.
His perspective is informed by his time as a firefighter and Immediate Emergency Care responder in the UK, as well as personal loss, extensive research and ongoing collaboration with emergency-service personnel around the world. He has contributed to award winning campaigns, and has spent years refining how to present challenging topics to an audience, so that they truly engage.
Out of the Fire grew from more than a decade of research into those realities. Working across writing, directing and music, Maximilian approaches storytelling as both entertainment and advocacy, using character-led drama to make difficult experiences felt rather than simply explained.
“After a close friend and firefighting colleague took his own life - and after I struggled following a career-ending injury -
I dedicated my voice to helping prevent that loss from happening to someone else.
I established Out of the Fire to advocate for emergency-worker wellbeing through film, storytelling, public engagement
and creative initiatives. Years spent developing public-safety and prevention campaigns have taught me
how to make difficult subjects accessible without diminishing their complexity.
Firefighters around the world remain underrepresented in public conversations about mental health;
my aim is to bring those realities closer to audiences and help inspire meaningful change.”
About
His dramatic short film Out of the Fire has received 15 awards and four nominations, including Outstanding Short Film – Drama at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival, alongside recognition for directing and craft. The film now serves as proof of concept for a feature-length adaptation in development, informed by more than a decade of research and consultation with firefighters, emergency responders and specialist collaborators.
Through the wider Out of the Fire Initiative, Curnow has expanded the project beyond the screen, bringing together film, live events, frontline voices and charitable collaboration to deepen public understanding of the realities faced by emergency workers and their families.
Following work in the UK, the Initiative is expanding its activity in the United States, including Out of the Fire: Voices Behind the Sirens, a Los Angeles event planned for December 2026 and presented in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, bringing together film, conversation, music and emergency-service voices. Curnow is currently developing the Out of the Fire feature while building relationships with producing, financing and representation partners for its next stage.
Maximilian's multidisciplinary background spans writing, directing, cinematography, editing, composition and production. For Out of the Fire, he also built custom lenses from vintage projector optics, helping create the film’s distinctive handmade visual identity.
Earlier in his career, Curnow worked across public-safety communications for UK fire, ambulance and local government, translating institutional information into audience-led films and campaigns.
His cross-disciplinary practice spans independent film, public-service storytelling, music production and creative technical development, giving him an unusual perspective on how complex ideas become emotionally engaging work.
Based in Los Angeles, he works at the intersection of film, public-safety culture and narrative strategy.
Award-winning Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign — 2016
Maximilian’s first prevention film for young drivers, public safety and wellbeing: ‘If We Make It Through the Night.’
Across more than a decade in film and music, Maximilian's work has been published by the BBC, Universal Music and Warner Chappell. His creative and advocacy work has received recognition from senior fire-service leaders, public officials and industry professionals, and he was previously granted a U.S. O-1B visa for extraordinary ability in the arts. He has also been engaged by companies such as Universal Audio, Avid, Spitfire Audio, and artists such as Muse and Globus.
Selected Clients & Credits
Maximilian has been engaged by companies including Universal Audio, Avid, Spitfire Audio and Intro, working across film, video, music production, post-production and creative consultancy.
His wider professional work has included DreamWorks, Sky, Netflix-related productions, the BBC, Universal and Chappell Music, alongside projects involving artists including Muse, Periphery and Caligula's Horse. He has also worked with filmmakers and production specialists including Ben Cooke, whose credits include Casino Royale and Thor: Ragnarok, SFX supervisor Sam Lewis, and director Peter Lauer.
At Spitfire Audio, Maximilian spent five years in product development and audio production, contributing to acclaimed products and collaborations involving Hans Zimmer, Ólafur Arnalds, Charlie Clouser, Abbey Road and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Film & Television
Music & Audio
Maximilian's work spans directing, cinematography, editing, music and production across independent film, television, branded content and music video.
His music has been used internationally across television including the BAFTA-nominated Louis Theroux: Dark States, GLAAD Media Award-winning Cable Girls and International Emmy-winning Ouro Verde, where his work appeared across more than 80 episodes. Other programme credits include Crime and Punishment, Glow Up, Our World, Victoria Derbyshire and MasterChef Denmark.
His video work has included projects involving Muse's Will of the People world tour, DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt, and performers from RuPaul's Drag Race, Glow Up and London's West End.
Alongside his filmmaking career, Maximilian has more than a decade of professional experience across composition, production, mastering and sound.
His compositions have been published internationally by Universal, Chappell Music and the BBC, with work appearing across award-winning and nominated international television. His production experience includes work with Dan Lancaster, known for Muse, Bring Me the Horizon and Blink-182, session work involving Eddie Thrower, and collaborations with ASCAP Award-winning composer Tim Laws.
He founded Horizon Mastering in 2017 and has since worked across hundreds of releases for artists and producers internationally, following specialist mastering training under Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering, London.
Awards & Recognition
Emergency Services & Real-World Experience
Maximilian's directing, filmmaking and music-video work has received recognition at festivals and competitions in the UK and United States, with awards spanning Best Director, Best Short Film, Best Music Video and Best Original Music/Song.
His filmmaking credits include awards from the London Director Awards, LA Film & Documentary Award, Independent Shorts Awards, Hollywood Guerrilla Film Festival and Indie Short Fest, alongside directing and music-video recognition from the Halo International Filmfare Awards, Grand Pixel International Film Festival and Triloka International Filmfare Awards.
Alongside film and music, Maximilian served as a firefighter and Immediate Emergency Care first responder with Surrey Fire & Rescue Service.
He later led video production for the service, producing campaigns and narrative work used in public education and working on projects for organisations including the ambulance service and UK Government. His film If We Make It was adopted for the Safe Drive Stay Alive road-safety campaign, which received the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
That experience now directly informs his work as a filmmaker, particularly the development of Out of the Fire and its exploration of emergency-service culture, trauma and mental health.
CREDIBILITY & RECOGNITION
A film by Maximilian Curnow, informed by extensive research and lived experience within the emergency services.
“This is a rare case of an individual who is able to be a successful artist and humanitarian simultaneously.”
🔥 Firefighting & Advocacy Testimonials
Karen Pointer
Matthew England
Group Commander, Surrey Fire & Rescue
“I know Maximilian through his work as a firefighter from 2014 to 2018. Maximilian's distinctive practical and creative understanding makes him unique; his contributions helped us achieve national recognition, including the Public Sector Transformation 'Working Together Gold Award', and earned him an annual fire award for his outstanding contribution to reducing public risk.
After independently making an acclaimed music video for the Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign - due to his extensive knowledge of every production stage, the Chief Fire Officer appointed him to lead the media department."
Emergency Preparedness & Recovery Manager, NHS
“Maximilian 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
Peter Lauer
Dan Lancaster
Dir (Scrubs, Arrested Development)
“I felt I was presented with a truly unique talent. Max was able to convey an emotional story with such professional acumen, style, and production value even with limited financial resources, which is simply astonishing. I’ve seen his passion for storytelling, his inventor’s fascination with mechanics, and his obsession with adapting photographic lenses. Maximilian is a delightful person and his critical contributions to international award-nominated and winning works attest to a man with the ingenuity and fearless drive to realize ambitious projects.”
Producer (MUSE, BMTH, Blink-182)
“Maximilian utilises an extraordinary array of skills; ranging from camera operation and directing to sample-specific Pro Tools operation and product developing. He works with an expert understanding of every step in the production process. Unique in my experience, Maximilian works to such a high standard, which explains why he is clearly worthy of the reputation he enjoys in both music and video production.”
Dan Pursey
Rokstone (Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion)
“Maximilian Curnow's distinguished talent as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer in the music industry is of a very high order. I have told him before that his abilities put him in the top tier of musicianship that usually comes through our studio. His versatility and expertise as a highly skilled musician and composer have made him an invaluable asset on a number of projects for which I have personally put him forward to various industry-leading professionals.”
Sam Lewis
SFX/Camera (James Bond, Avengers)
“Maximilian has demonstrated remarkable skill in building camera rigs and improvised equipment, a skill likely developed as a firefighter. He builds his own lenses using specialist vintage equipment that sets his work apart. His keen eye for visual storytelling and innovative approach result in visually stunning works. I have heard nothing but praise for Maximilian's professionalism, creativity, and multi-faceted mastery of the arts.”
Oli Morgan
Mastering Engineer, Abbey Road Studios
“Maximilian’s music production skills extend to his leading role as a mastering engineer with Horizon Mastering, notably on Toska’s album which gained over 4M plays and charted at #45. Maximilian has a fantastic ear and exemplary attention to detail, both of which are as precious as they are rare. Moreover, both are crucial in the world of audio mastering and I can say with confidence that Maximilian is at the top of the craft in that respect.”
Rabea Massaad
Toska, Ernie Ball
“Maximilian consistently pushes creative boundaries. His dedication and collaborations with industry leaders reflect his standout talent.”
Feature Film in Development · 2026
About the Creator
Maximilian Curnow is a former Surrey firefighter and Immediate Emergency Care responder turned advocacy filmmaker. An award-winning director, cinematographer, writer and composer with more than 16 years of production experience, his work spans film, music, public-safety communications and creative technology. Through Out of the Fire, he combines that multidisciplinary background with frontline insight to create character-led work that connects public audiences with emergency-worker wellbeing.
His approach brings music, film and impact storytelling together from a position of real-world insight.