About Me

Here's a Story...

My name is Max Benitz.

I’m from London and have been writing all my life, well since kindergarten. I’m dedicated to telling stories.

Aged 17, I had a remarkable introduction to the film business when Peter Weir cast me in his Academy Award winning epic Master & Commander. I then headed to university in Scotland and India before working in and writing a book about Afghanistan during the war. Four years in media finance brought me back to film. I then carved out a successful career as a freelance screenwriter, working for many film and television producers in the UK, USA and Europe.

In 2019, I completed MIDPOINT TV Launch, a one year training programme supported by Creative Europe that fosters the next generation of European television writers, directors and producers. I was also selected to join the Marseille WebFest Writers' Residency, where I won the Best Pitch Award, and won the Best Scriptwriting (Pitch) Award at the 2019 London Short Series Festival. The oddities of 2020-21 gave me plenty of time at home to write - though precious few hours in the library - and time to consider my next move.

In July 2021, I joined iGeneration Studios as their Senior Development Producer. I'll be originating and developing television and film projects, writing on some of them, and collaborating with fellow writers wherever possible to bring great stories to our screens.

Aside from writing, I have consulted for governments, large corporations and small companies, campaigns and individuals on their written communication. That has involved everything from drafting a launch email for a start up, to advising a G8 country on its creative industries strategy.

I love what I do. This career has taken me from film sets to war zones. Wherever I've gone, I've usually had little or no relevant experience before arriving but I've just, well, made it up as I go.

Anyway, that's my story.

Contact

Do please get in touch with me about anything at all at: max@justwords.uk

I am lucky enough to be represented for Film & Television by Andrew Mills of Revolution Talent.

My literary agent is the wonderful Anna Power, MD of Johnson & Alcock.