About Me

A young man sitting on a director's chair, wearing a navy blazer, light blue shirt, grey pants, blue socks, and brown shoes, with a black baseball cap and a wristwatch, against a dark background.

A filmmaker with a goal to change the world.

Max Hechtman is an award-winning New York–based filmmaker with experience producing both 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 generation and others, through subject matter and stories that feel relatable and make a tangible impact on our lives.

Max's films have been selected for screening at festivals across the country, including the short documentary Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide, which was inspired by his seeing Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and attending a Middle School assembly given by suicide prevention advocate John Halligan. That film won Best Documentary at the 2019 Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE).

His senior thesis film, Abigail, an ambitious and emotionally driven project, explores the controversial and complicated topic of end-of-life decision-making as well as themes of grief and loss. Abigail was named a quarterfinalist in Stage 32's 5th Annual Short Film Contest and won the Audience Award at the 2020 LIIFE, where it was also nominated for Best Short Film, Best Long Island Short Film, and Best Director. The film was publicly released online via Max's YouTube and Vimeo channels on January 12, 2026.

In 2020, Max worked as visual designer and trailer editor for Bálint Varga's audiobook d'ILLUSION: The Houdini Musical, which was released on the project’s website and across various social media and streaming platforms in August 2020. He also produced a behind-the-scenes 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 narrative short films that are currently in post-production, both from Broadway actors making their film directing debuts: Jason Forbach’s psychological thriller The Delicate Medium, starring Dan Amboyer, which Max is executive producing alongside Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles; and Critics’ Choice Award nominee Ben Cook’s dance drama Ball & Socket, starring Zach McNally and Kate Jennings Grant. Both films are slated to begin their runs on the film festival circuit in mid-2026. In addition, Max is developing his first original narrative feature film, The Lens Within Me, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama loosely inspired by his adolescence and college experience as a young filmmaker.

In addition to filmmaking, Max has been working as a professional video editor for the past decade. He hopes to continue his work in both production and post-production while pursuing film projects—ranging from short pieces to feature-length narratives and documentaries—that encourage people to think, question, and open conversations about difficult subjects that, when confronted, can lead to meaningful change and positive outcomes. Max is also an avid enthusiast of musical theater, and a personal goal of his is to adapt Broadway shows for the screen.

Testimonials

  • "I can’t say enough about Max. ABIGAIL was my first film. He knew exactly what he wanted as a director and yet I was able to make my choices and together a beautiful project was completed. A pure pleasure to work with. He’s smart and professional, and an asset to any film crew or production!!"

    — Elvira Tortora

  • "Max was an excellent student and is a very talented writer."

    — Sherese Robinson-Lee

  • "Abigail is such a poignant, heartfelt short film!! Max Hechtman takes into account every angle of the viewer, in thought and visual. He creates such a connection to the characters and evokes such emotion in doing so! The read between the lines inferences makes for a dynamic and pensive experience for the viewer! I can’t wait to see where this inspiring filmmaker goes!!"

    — Ellen Nocero-Donohue

  • "Max was a huge asset to our club, Runway27 at FIT. He came in with plans to film our final runway show and ended up participating in its development as well. Very professional and driven, but also very friendly and eager to get to know the club members. His final products were a huge part of promoting our club the following year."

    — Hannah Owens

  • "I recently worked with Max on a custom video for The Bee Conservancy. I found Max to be extremely capable and to regularly go beyond his role description to get the job done. Max is an excellent team player, produces high-caliber work and has a strong work ethic. His positive approach and attention to detail make him a welcome addition to any team."

    — G. William Fernandez

Some Of My Clients

Close-up of a mechanical component with a circular gear or disc on the left, connected to a blue and gray rectangular element extending to the right, with a black background.
A black and white circular sign with the word 'FIT' written in bold black letters.
Black background with white text that reads 'Broadway Connected' in a rectangular box.
Logo of the New York Institute of Beauty with the letters "nyib" and curved lines above.
Logo of the Bee Conservancy with a hexagonal bee hive in black and yellow stripes to the left of the text.
Logo for 'd'ILLUSION: The Houdini Musical' featuring large metallic letters spelling the title, with two vintage pocket watches hanging from the 'I'.
Colorful geometric shapes above the text 'LECOM STAGE AT' in bold black letters with a dotted line beneath.
A circular logo with the words 'GHOSTLIGHT' surrounding a central light bulb illustration and dotted lines.
The word 'sEAVieW' written in white text on a black background, with some letters upside down and mirrored.