Meet the Team

MAX WARD
WRITER / DIRECTOR

Now based in London, Max is originally from the smalltown of Des Moines, Iowa. Obsessed with filmmaking since middle school, he’s developed a long portfolio of horror and comedy work. As a teenager, he wrote and directed two student feature films, both over 80 minutes and with over a hundred classmates acting in them. He would skip class to work on the edit, location scout, or make props.

His most recent horror short film, Skulk, is premiering at some of the most prestigious horror festivals including Sitges and Screamfest this year. Max’s previous horror short, Return of the Beast from Outer Space, was in competition at prominent festivals such as FilmQuest and Grimmfest, and is available on Amazon Prime.

In addition to his narrative filmmaking, Max has directed numerous commercials for high-profile brands such as Star Trek, Playstation, and Hasbro, earning him multiple gold awards at the NYX Game Awards and multiple Cannes Dolphins.

WATCH MAX’S WORK AT MAXWARDFILM.COM

WILL BUTTERS
PRODUCER

Founder of Qualia Film Co, Will is a producer with a diverse and extensive portfolio, having made commercials for top brands like Aston Martin, Qatar Airways, and Booking.com. His global experience spans filming in diverse locations, from the rainforests of Australia to the deserts of the Middle East. For his commercial work, he has won 14 Cannes Dolphins.

Recently, he produced RD Studios' first original TV show, as well as music videos for rising artists like Xadi and Izzy S.O., and a short film for LVRA’s Soft Like Steel EP. With a proven track record across various filming environments and formats, Will is excited to drive forward his first feature with They Came From Below.

PRODUCERS STATEMENT:
Having lived in Cornwall, the ocean is a huge source of fascination and inspiration for me. They Came From Below merges that deep connection with my ambition of creating bold, thought-provoking films. By combining suspenseful horror with a timely environmental theme, we're aiming to captivate audiences while also sparking important conversations about the future of our oceans.

They Came From Below was selected from hundreds of submissions to participate in the BFI’s UK Next Wave Genre Lab.

This prestigious programme provides an incredible opportunity to further refine our creative vision and production strategy, guided by some of the most renowned figures in horror filmmaking, including Mike Flanagan and Jessica Hausner.

Industry partners involved in the scheme include: