Max Hechtman is an award-winning New York-based filmmaker with experience producing narrative and documentary films. He grew up in East Meadow and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Media in 2019. He is motivated to use the art of film to bring attention to issues that challenge his and other generations, through subject matter and stories that are relatable and impact our lives.
Max's films have been selected for screening at film festivals, nationally, including the short documentary "Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide," which was inspired by his seeing "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway, and a Middle School assembly given by suicide prevention advocate, John Halligan. The film won Best Documentary at the 2019 Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE).
Max's senior thesis film, "Abigail," which was an ambitious undertaking, touches on the controversial and complicated topic of end-of-life decision-making, as well as grief and loss. The film was named a quarterfinalist in Stage 32's 5th Annual Short Film Contest and won the Audience Award at the 2020 edition of LIIFE, where it was also nominated for Best Short Film, Best Long Island Short Film and Best Director. The film was publicly released online through Max's YouTube and Vimeo channels on January 12, 2026.
In 2020, Max served as the visual designer and trailer editor for Bálint Varga's audiobook, "d'ILLUSION: The Houdini Musical," which was released on its website and different social media and streaming media platforms on August 2020. Max also produced a documentary about the making of the audiobook, which was released on December 10, 2020.
Up next, Max is serving as an executive producer on two short films set to begin production in 2026, both from Broadway actors making their film directing debuts: Jason Forbach's short thriller "The Delicate Medium" starring Dan Amboyer, on which Max is executive producing alongside Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles, and Critics' Choice Award nominee Ben Cook's dance drama "Ball & Socket" with Zach McNally and Kate Jennings Grant attached to star.
In addition, Max is expanding his development slate to navigate the industry’s increasingly risk-averse climate. Alongside the development of his first original narrative feature, "The Lens Within Me," a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama loosely inspired by his adolescence and college experience as a young filmmaker, he is simultaneously structuring a flexible, smaller-scale feature directorial debut entitled "An Unshaken Step." Conceived as a contained, character-driven drama designed to bypass traditional development bottlenecks, this lean, multi-location project will leverage a balanced mix of notable talent and rising performers to deliver high production value through nimble independent execution. Max is also an avid enthusiast of musical theater, and a personal goal of his is to adapt Broadway shows for the big screen.
In addition to filmmaking, Max has been working as a professional video editor for the past decade. He hopes to continue his work in production and post-production and pursue film projects, including short and feature-length narratives and documentaries that get people to think, question and open conversations about subjects that are difficult, but can lead to change and positive outcomes.
