The Global Search for Education: Nine Year Old Director Maxwell Andrews on the Power of Words

C. M. Rubin
2 min readApr 23, 2023

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This month, audiences can screen Maxwell Andrews’ My Superpower on the Planet Classroom Network. This film was curated for Planet Classroom by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

Nine-year-old Maxwell Andrews from Auckland, New Zealand, wrote, directed, and produced My Superpower, in which he also stars.

The film won the Golden Gaja Award, Kidz Made Films, Juniors, and KidzCINEMA 2022. The storyline is simple and perfect for young audiences, as it follows the journey of a nine-year-old in search of his superpower, only to discover that his words have the power to help or harm others. This film provides a fresh take on superpowers and offers an inspiring message about the power of words.

The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Maxwell Andrews.

Maxwell, how did you come up with the idea to make a film about the superpower of kind words?

At the time I was planning to make a movie, I was really into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I thought that it would be cool to make a movie about a superpower we all possess but may not realize we even have, the power of our words. I also wanted to show how kind words can be a superpower. Unfortunately, words can also be a negative power if not used with kindness.

How long did it take to plan and film this project?

It felt like a really long time from the planning to the editing but I’m actually not sure how long it took! When I look at My Superpower now, I think I look a lot older now, so it must have taken a long time!

If you could have any superpower in the world, would you still choose the kindness of words?

The effect of our kind words can have a ripple effect which can go on forever and ever and ever. But I’d also be pretty keen on flying, super strength, and invisibility…

What do you hope audiences take away from this project?

Words have the power to help and the power to harm. It’s up to you how you decide to use this superpower. Today, do you choose to use your words to help, or to harm?

Thanks Maxwell!

C. M. Rubin and Maxwell Andrews

Don’t miss Maxwell Andrews’ My Superpower, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for Planet Classroom by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

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