Experiencing Interruptions?

The Wasp's Nest

An intern working at an organization known as Vespa is tasked with covering parts of sensitive documents in black ink; unaware of the conspiracy he is about to unfold, and the danger that comes with it

  • Max Helmueller
    Director
    Decay, The Forever Game, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Max Helmueller
    Writer
    Decay, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Luke Manwarren
    Key Cast
    "Ben"
    A Very Sad Man
  • Amy Green
    Key Cast
    A Very Sad Man
  • Max Helmueller
    Editor
    Decay, The Forever Game, Jane Doe, A Very Sad Man, Mirror Image, The Negotiator, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Max Helmueller
    Cinematographer
    The Forever Game, Confined, A Very Sad Man, I Me Mine, Wafflemaker
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 15, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Augsburg University
  • AltFF Alternative Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    December 22, 2023
    Nominee: Best Horror
  • Rising Tide Film Festival
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    United States
    April 6, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Unspooled Film & Animation Festival
    Menomonie, WI
    United States
    May 9, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Flint Youth Film Festival
    Flint, MI
    United States
    July 25, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Star City Film Festival
    Waukon, IA
    United States
    July 19, 2024
    FINALIST - Student Short Film
  • The Flint Short Film Freakout
    Flint, MI
    United States
    September 27, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Max Helmueller

If you were to tell Max Helmueller at age 13 that he would become an independent, student filmmaker later in life: I don't know what he'd do, but he definitely wouldn't be thrilled. 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 about 30 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 30 short films, you could say he's very efficient at what he does.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In this film, I wanted to experiment with different genres of horror. Particularly, found footage and analog horror. But I also wanted to go beyond that; beyond the supposed constraints of those respective genres and create a piece of art that seems to exist in it's own unique set of rules. It's found footage-esque, but no one is holding the camera. It's analog horror, but not shot on an older camera, and seemingly existing in a totally different plane of existence.
That brings me to the Wasp's Nest, an experimental horror film I am very proud to show. The film follows a young intern biting off more than he can chew, but it also goes beyond that. It's about living in this new age of unchecked, rampant capitalism, where the ruling corporations use any means necessary to "keep the peace", at least in their own minds. It's about the juxtaposition of what a corporation may present itself as and the deep, grimy underbelly that exists in the shadows