Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) for a virtual conversation with the team behind the new independent feature film, Things Like This. The conversation will include Max Talisman (director, actor, and writer of the film), James Andrew Felts (President of MPX, the film's distributor), and Buzz Koenig (film's lead producer, and Head of TV & Film Production at Atlantic). We will discuss the process of greenlighting and building an independent feature film, its journey as an indie production from beginning to end, reaching an audience through distribution, and redefining queer love stories.
Max Talisman is an actor, writer, and director dedicated to reshaping LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. He began his career at the age of 12 in acclaimed regional theater in his hometown of Washington, DC, before landing roles in the indie thriller ‘Super Dark Times’, opposite Jennifer Lopez in ‘Marry Me’, Netflix’s ‘Orange is the New Black’, NBC’s ‘The Blacklist’, and MAX’s dark comedy ‘Search Party’.
After facing Hollywood’s narrow casting limitations as a plus sized actor, Max founded Malibu, Bro Productions to create inclusive stories and champion underrepresented, authentic characters. His feature film ‘Things Like This’, inspired by classic rom-coms and his own experiences as a plus-sized queer man, is set to debut in 2025.
With a growing slate of projects, Max continues to champion authentic, diverse storytelling in film and television. Each project celebrates the richness of human relationships, pushing beyond Hollywood’s typical boundaries to offer audiences characters and stories that feel authentic and true. As Max continues to expand his work as a writer, director, and actor, he champions the inclusion of unique perspectives, ultimately creating a space for diverse audiences to see themselves represented in stories that resonate universally.
