Cloud Forest has brought producer and director Max Kane on board, marking a key addition to the company’s growing leadership team.
Kane will work across creative development, production and postproduction, writing scripts, directing fast-turn branded films, running shoots, coordinating editors, VFX artists and animators, and overseeing dozens of projects in post. He brings a background spanning business affairs, physical production and independent filmmaking to Cloud Forest as it continues to scale its work across brand, commercial and corporate projects.
“I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and the business behind it,” said Kane. “Cloud Forest is the perfect place to combine everything I’ve been building toward, creative work, business growth, and being a part of something long-term. The impact here is immediate, and I’m given a real voice and creative input, with the opportunity to grow with the company rather than service it. I’m involved from concept through delivery, while helping shape how the company grows alongside Matthew [Forrest, founder and EP of Cloud Forest], who has shot everywhere from L.A. to the Swiss Alps, and whom I deeply respect and admire.”
Prior to joining Cloud Forest, Kane spent several years at Anonymous Content working across business affairs and production, where he honed a deep understanding of how projects are developed, financed and executed, experience that now informs his approach to building scalable creative and production systems. During his time there, he contributed to projects like Nickel Boys, which was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar in 2025, Foe, directed by Garth Davis, and Swan Song, starring Mahershala Ali. As production coordinator at Anonymous Content, Kane worked closely with co-producer Jonathan Schwartz on Nickel Boys, supporting the film throughout develop and production. He was actively involved in the dealmaking, packaging, prep, production, and postproduction processes across Nickel Boys, Foe and Swan Song, contributing to the films’ development and execution over multiple years.
Alongside his work at Cloud Forest, Kane is an active filmmaker. He has directed, produced and edited numerous short films over the past eight years, including Duck, House of Brotherly Love, and Ah-Ma Burns. These three shorts hit the festival circuit, premiering on the BIFA-qualifying Directors Notes. His projects have ranged from two-person crews to productions of more than 70, and in 2025, he won the Los Angeles 48-hour Film Project. Kane gains his first commercial representation as a director at Cloud Forest.
“Max has a rare balance of creative perspective and production discipline,” said Matthew Forrest. “He understands the realities of running production, how to show up for clients, and how to keep complex work moving forward calmly and thoughtfully. Beyond that, he brings a genuine kindness and work ethic that sets the tone for everyone around him. He’s someone I trust deeply. His values align closely with the Cloud Forest philosophy and I’m excited to have him helping lead projects as Cloud Forest continues to grow.”
Since its launch in late 2024, Cloud Forest has positioned itself as a creative and operational engine for brands and companies alike, working with healthcare companies Smarter Technologies, Quantum Health, and Imagine360, alongside commercial clients Postman, Bitwarden, and Aveeno. From developing, producing and delivering content across commercial, brand and corporate formats, Cloud Forest functions as an integrated extension of clients’ teams. With expertise spanning live action, animation, mixed media and VR, the company combines deep production expertise with a curated creative network to execute projects from conception through final delivery.
