Max Cookward

Max Cookward (b. 2000, Leeds) is a choreographer, filmmaker and movement director working across music, fashion and live performance.

His practice moves between bodies, camera, choreography and creative direction — building worlds for music videos, live shows, performance and cinematic work. Often creating hybrid roles within projects, Max shapes the physical, visual and emotional language of each work.

Recent projects include being part of the core creative team for STORM at the MTV VMAs, restaging the music video for the awards show alongside choreographer Damien Jalet and director Romain Gavras. Other recent work includes performance, on-stage camera operation and contributing choreography for FKA twigs’ BODY HIGH and EUSEXUA world tours. Recent directing credits include live-show film direction for Sega Bodega at SXSW, and show and movement direction for Charlie Le Mindu’s couture collections.

Max began his career as a dancer, performing internationally in lead roles including Jean Paul Gaultier in Fashion Freak Show, and with companies including Rambert and Theo Adams Company. This embodied background continues to inform his work as a choreographer, director and image-maker, bringing a performer’s sensitivity to the camera, the body and live performance.