Ever since I was four years old, when I forced my parents to watch and subsequently act out The Wizard of Oz with me nightly, I have been captivated by the power of stories to transform the mundane into the magical. After attending college at Washington University in St. Louis and completing New York University’s MFA program in filmmaking, I followed the yellow brick road to Los Angeles where I have been creating stories about characters coming of age and embarking on journeys of self-discovery. My web series ROOT FOR THE VILLAIN was an official selection of the 2018 Austin Film Festival, and my feature screenplay HIT ME HARDER was featured on the 2020 GLAAD List.

Max Rissman

PRESS

Screenplay HIT ME HARDER was featured on the 2020 GLAAD LIST, a partnership between GLAAD and The Black List highlighting “the most promising unmade LGBTQ-inclusive film scripts” of the year.

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In a world where superheroes and super-villains are common, Lana is a young parole officer who works with low-level super-villains, trying to help them reintegrate into society after they are released from prison. Official selection of the Austin Film Festival, Bentonville Film Festival, Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema, Melbourne Web Fest and Vancouver Web Fest.

Narrative Series

Root for the Villain

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When David takes his girlfriend Amy to his family lake house for a romantic getaway weekend, he is haunted by the ghosts of his overbearing parents who can't stand Amy and want to break them up. Official selection of the Sarasota Film Festival, Garden State Film Festival, Dances With Films Festival, San Jose Short Film Festival, Lighthouse Film Festival, Rockport Film Festival, Iron Mule Film Festival and the Long Island Film Expo.

Narrative Short

The Shvitzing

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When two young brothers visit their teenage cousin Shelly, they can’t figure out why she’s acting so moody and weird. Not understanding the concept of puberty, they suspect she is possessed by a demon….and it turns out they’re right! Official selection of the Louisville International Film Festival.

Narrative Short

Shelly's Possessed

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A man goes to see his doctor about an unconventional surgery.

Narrative Short

Subtraction

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Tonedeff, a fiercely independent hip hop artist and producer, struggles to create his newest masterpiece.

Documentary Short

Tonedeff

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A teenager desperately tries not to get caught ogling the girl next door. Played in the Cannes Short Film Corner.

Narrative Short

Game Boy

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Julia can't seem to find any satisfaction...until she encounters an unusual neighbor with an unusual musical instrument. Winner of the Best Student Film award at the New Jersey International Film Festival, and official selection of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth.

Max Rissman

PRESS

Narrative Series

Root for the Villain

Narrative Short

The Shvitzing

Narrative Short

Shelly's Possessed

A man goes to see his doctor about an unconventional surgery.

Narrative Short

Subtraction

Tonedeff, a fiercely independent hip hop artist and producer, struggles to create his newest masterpiece.

Documentary Short

Tonedeff

A teenager desperately tries not to get caught ogling the girl next door. Played in the Cannes Short Film Corner.

Narrative Short

Game Boy

Julia can't seem to find any satisfaction...until she encounters an unusual neighbor with an unusual musical instrument. Winner of the Best Student Film award at the New Jersey International Film Festival, and official selection of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth.

Narrative Short

Deep Note