Max Malkin began directing after an impressive career as a director of photography, cutting his teeth on some of the most iconic music videos of all time for artists including Eminem, The Dead Weather, Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., and The Beastie Boys. He would go on to bring his unique visual style to the world of commercials and feature films, working with such prolific directors as Jonathan Glazer, Michel Gondry, Jim Sheridan, and David O. Russell.
As a director, Max’s distinct visual aesthetic has received the attention of some of the world’s best-known global brands, having directed numerous films for the likes of Nike, Beats, Jim Beam, Volvo, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Samsung, T-Mobile, Blue Moon, Mercedes, and Apple.
“One in a Billion” – Adidas’ first-ever ad for China – was highly acclaimed for its championing of creativity and individuality in sports and took home Silver at the 2017 CLIO Awards for Fashion: Film. His work on the Nike “Unlimited” Olympics campaign similarly generated an incredible amount of buzz across social media channels and was recognized with numerous awards, including the esteemed Gold Film Lion at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The campaign also won bronze at One Show and was honored for Advertising Excellence/Campaign at the 2017 AICP Awards.
Max’s work behind the camera has earned him many prestigious honors, including several awards for Nike “Frozen Moment” spot featuring Michael Jordan, AICP Visual Style honors for Nike “Magnet” and “Move,” as well as recognition as an AICP Excellence Honoree for Nike “Freestyle”. His boundary-pushing spot for the NFL “Take It To The House, Kid” (2020) received two Cannes Lions in the Entertainment and Sports verticals, as well as four Sports Emmys. His spot for Nike’s “The Original Impossible” premiered before the 2023 NFL Super Bowl.
