Experiencing Interruptions?

Lost in the Woods

A man struggling to get his footing in this ever-changing world finds himself in the middle of the woods, with no clear path out

  • Max Helmueller
    Director
    Rot, A Man Explodes, The Audience Member, Confined, Pink Eye, Xanten Rain, The Wasp's Nest, Decay, The Forever Game, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, The Road Ahead, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Max Helmueller
    Writer
    Rot, A Man Explodes, The Audience Member, Confined, Xanten Rain, The Wasp's Nest, Decay, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Max Helmueller
    Producer
    Rot, A Man Explodes, The Audience Member, Confined, Pink Eye, Xanten Rain, The Wasp's Nest, Decay, The Forever Game, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, The Road Ahead, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Sathya Govindarajan
    Key Cast
  • Max Helmueller
    Cinematographer
    Rot, A Man Explodes, The Audience Member, Confined, Pink Eye, Xanten Rain, The Wasp's Nest, The Forever Game, Confined, A Very Sad Man, The Road Ahead, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Percy Bartelt
    Cinematographer
    The Audience Member
  • Max Helmueller
    Editor
    Rot, A Man Explodes, The Audience Member, Confined, Pink Eye, Xanten Rain, The Wasp's Nest, Decay, The Forever Game, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, The Road Ahead, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 23, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    21:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cloven Hoof Film Festival
    Winona, MN
    United States
    April 18, 2026
    North American Premiere
    Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Max Helmueller

If you were to tell Max Helmueller at age 13 that he would become an independent filmmaker later in life: I don't know what he'd do, but he definitely wouldn't be thrilled. He hated going to theaters; movies were just 'boring' to him. Flash forward 10 years and Max can't imagine wanting to do anything other than filmmaking! Max was 16 years old when he first got invested into the medium of filmmaking. Since then, he's written, directed, edited, and starred in 40+ short films. Dedicated to improving his work, he frequently asks friends to help him with short films at least every other month, whether it be with acting or technical aspects. All of Max's short films are uploaded directly to his YouTube channel, Zolar Films, which he runs with his friend Derek Hicks. Max often likes experimenting with different genres and prefers to go out and film something with the resources he has now. Along with the 40+ short films, you could say he's very efficient at what he does.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

To my fellow friends out there, who feel totally directionless in this strange, ever-changing world we live in: maybe you're around my age, maybe not. Maybe you have some things figured out, or maybe you feel you have absolutely nothing figured out. Regardless of where you are, which part of the staircase you currently reside on, I dedicate this film to you. It is okay to feel lost. It is okay to not have things figured out, no matter what stage of life you're in. There is always a chance to pick a path and follow it down to the end. Or even decide this path may not be for you, and pick a different one instead. Even if you are lost, you are not alone. I hope this film provides a level of comfort to anyone feeling this way