“Life shows you your pathway”: An interview with Kiam Films

Maik Hüsken, the creator behind Kiam Films, arrived at Warwick as an exchange student for what was meant to be a short academic stint. Instead, he left having unintentionally become one of the most recognisable faces on campus.

His […] unfiltered vlogs documenting daily student life resonated with hundreds of Warwick students, ultimately earning him the title of Biggest Name on Campus 2025

His soft-spoken personality, sincere outlook, and unfiltered vlogs documenting daily student life resonated with hundreds of Warwick students, ultimately earning him the title of Biggest Name on Campus 2025.

Originally from Germany and studying Media and Culture in the Netherlands at Utrecht University, Maik describes his path to Warwick with characteristic honesty and humour. “I chose Warwick because they didn’t ask for a language test,” he laughs. Yet what began as a simple administrative choice quickly transformed into a defining chapter of his life.

He also shares that his teacher, who is now his current supervisor,recommended Warwick to him due to its excellent reputation in Media and Art Studies. Although he initially came as a Media student, he ultimately completed his exchange in the Theatre and Performance Department.

Before exploring his viral rise, it’s worth understanding the origins of Kiam Films. The name itself is Maik reversed: Kiam. He started his video project in 2018 as an interview series. “I wanted to interview people from different fields, backgrounds and countries,” he explains. Over time, the project evolved: interviews turned into podcasts, and podcasts eventually turned into the short-form vlogs that would capture the hearts and attention of Warwick students and beyond.

“As much as I love to talk about other people, at some point I realised I wasn’t represented enough in my own project,” he reflects. This realisation marked the shift from interviewing others to filming his own life – and the beginning of the ‘day in the life’ videos that we all know and love! 

 

From Utrecht to Warwick: A different kind of student life

Maik had already been documenting his life at Utrecht University, but Warwick’s academic structure and vibrant online student culture created the perfect conditions for his content to flourish.

“In the Netherlands we have four blocks — everything happens in eight to ten weeks,” he explains. “At Warwick, I suddenly had only six hours of classes a week. I was shocked.”

With more unstructured time, his videos naturally increased, and so did their audience. What began as simple “day in the life” clips became a shared point of connection for many students navigating university life.

When asked about how he felt when his videos started getting lots of engagement, Maik smiles. “It was funny. I didn’t expect it at all!”

The turning point for him came when a stranger recognised him for the first time on campus. He recalls wondering in a very humorous, almost disbelieving way: “What is going on here? Who are you? You don’t know me!”

The turning point for him came when a stranger recognised him for the first time on campus. He recalls wondering in a very humorous, almost disbelieving way: “What is going on here? Who are you? You don’t know me!”

That moment marked the realisation that his videos had grown beyond their original audience.

 He laughs about it now, but recognition rapidly became a daily part of life — both exciting and overwhelming for Maik.

 

The unexpected reality of being recognised

When asked whether his life changed mostly positively or negatively once his videos got big, Maik answers without hesitation. “Definitely positively, because it was the first time in my life I was popular.” 

He reminisces on his childhood, recalling how he had been bullied for not conforming and had only one friend in kindergarten. The contrast between that experience and strangers now approaching him to ask “Can I be your friend?” felt surreal. 

Despite his growing visibility, Maik describes himself as naturally introverted.
“I’m quite a shy person,” he says. “I’m also introverted in the videos as well, but in real life, I’m more shy.”

Meeting him in person, his humility is striking in its sincerity and quiet confidence. His approachable, friendly and warm manner despite his widespread popularity is a testament to his character. 

“I didn’t like the feeling of hiding myself. […] I didn’t want my friends to feel uncomfortable by people coming up to me”

– Maik

As his audience expanded, everyday moments began to feel different.
He recalls hiding in the corners of Wetherspoons, shielded by friends from the Irish Society: “I didn’t like the feeling of hiding myself”, he admits. “ I didn’t want the other people around me. I didn’t want my friends to feel uncomfortable by people coming up to me.” 

Being recognised in clubs was particularly challenging. On one occasion, repeated requests for photos in a packed club caused him to lose his friend in the crowd. Reflecting on these experiences, he explains that there were “two types of people” who approached him: “People who made me feel comfortable – which was the majority – and others who made me feel a bit uncomfortable.”

Even as his platform grew, Maik remained firm about boundaries. He never disclosed where he lived, where he worked, or who his flatmates were.
“I share my life, but I protect the lives of people around me.”

Yet, when asked if he ever regretted becoming so well known, his answer is resolute. “No. I do not regret it,” he says confidently. “Because my intention was never that these videos get popular. My main intention was to document my journey at Warwick and be able to look back on my own. And sharing it if people like it. But mainly it was for myself.” 

This perspective carries through when I ask whether he considers himself famous. His response perfectly encapsulates the Maik behind Kiam Films that I was lucky enough to interview. “I always tell people, I’m just a normal person as you are.” His answer is a testament to his humility despite his popularity. “I’m just living my life, so this is what I am. You know, I’m just a normal person.”

 

Authenticity as his creative anchor

In a digital world saturated with polished “perfect” routines and curated lifestyles, Maik’s unfiltered honesty was refreshing.

Laughing, he recalls moments of creative self-doubt:
“Sometimes I wondered why people enjoy watching me eat scrambled eggs every day.” 

Yet it was precisely this relatability — the sincerity of daily life, with all its repetition and ordinary moments — that students connected with, including me. 

As Maik tried new societies, explored campus, and settled into new routines, so were many of us. His content felt familiar, reassuring and real in a time when many of us were figuring things out alone.

Watching his videos during his first weeks at Warwick felt comforting to many students, myself definitely included. As Maik tried new societies, explored campus, and settled into new routines, so were many of us. His content felt familiar, reassuring and real in a time when many of us were figuring things out alone

The conversation sparks up a smile as Maik recalls the one meal he truly regrets: “Rice with baked beans.” With only those ingredients in his kitchen, he had to resign to the fate of his ‘struggle meal’ – something I am sure we can all relate to!

“I feel like people can recognise that I’m not a fake person,” he reflects, to which I enthusiastically nod and agree with. “ It’s just my real life.” 

When asked whether he feels there is a separation between Kiam Films who we see on our phones and Maik behind the camera, he ruminates before answering. 

“Kiam Films is just me, but with a bit more energy for the introduction!”

– Maik

His creative philosophy remains simple: film what feels natural, and never force a persona.
“Kiam Films is just me, but with a bit more energy for the introduction,” he jokes.

 

The video that changed everything

Quietly smiling, Maik identifies  his “How do I make friends in the UK?” video as the piece of content he is most proud of. He describes it as the video “that started almost everything”, gaining the most comments. 

“For me, it was a normal question: ‘How do I make friends in the UK?’ But it turned out to be very relatable for everyone.”

The video did more than go viral, it was instrumental in shaping Maik’s Warwick experience. After posting it, the Trampolining Society reached out and invited him to a taster session.

“Without that video, I would have never tried trampolining,” he says – a sport he has now come to really love and enjoy. 

He later collaborated with Irish, Polish, Northern, Athletics and many other societies, not for personal gain but to give others a platform. He even completed a 24-hour charity sit-in at Wetherspoons to support a friend’s cancer charity initiative.

He later collaborated with Irish, Polish, Northern, Athletics and many other societies, not for personal gain but to give others a platform. He even completed a 24-hour charity sit-in at Wetherspoons to support a friend’s cancer charity initiative.

 

On being named Warwick’s “Biggest Name on Campus 2025”

I finally asked him the burning question hanging in the air: how did it feel to discover he was Warwick’s BNOC of 2025?

Many may be surprised to know, when Maik first heard he had been nominated as Warwick’s BNOC, he didn’t know what it meant.

He laughs recalling it:
“I didn’t take it seriously. I thought why would anyone vote for me? I’ve only been here eight weeks!”

Laughing and grinning cheekily, Maik was the most excited I had seen him, saying: “I had almost double the votes of the others. It was around 1000 votes or more. It felt unreal.”

But round after round, he advanced — eventually winning by a landslide. Laughing and grinning cheekily, Maik was the most excited I had seen him, saying:
“I had almost double the votes of the others. It was around 1000 votes or more. It felt unreal.”

However, true to his humble self, Maik downplays the title: “But I still say — don’t take the title too seriously.”

When asked what his younger self, the little Maik who had been bullied, would think about him being the Biggest Name on Campus in a UK university, Maik replied “He would be very proud, but he wouldn’t believe it.” 

Reflecting on what he would say now to that younger version of himself, Maik offers a message that lingers: “Just live your life. Be loyal to yourself. Surround yourself with the right people. Take care of yourself. Take care of your mental health.”

 

Life at Warwick and advice for new students

His advice to new/exchange students is simple and heartfelt:
“Join societies. Not just the ones from your background, explore different cultures. Try rock up sessions. They’re free!”

His favourite place to film on campus? An unexpected one — the Interdisciplinary Research Building, tucked behind Rootes.
“It looks fancy, it’s calm, and the walk through nature to get there is beautiful.” I fear this secret study spot may not stay secret for long now that Warwick’s most famous BNOC has recommended it!

And the most memorable moment he captured?  A night with the Polish Society.
He recalls standing on a table, waving a flag and singing Polish songs.
“It was a very fun night!” he exclaims.

 

Looking Ahead: The future of Kiam Films

Finally, I ask the big question: what does the future hold for Kiam Films? What can we look forward to seeing?

Maik is candid in his response : “I actually have no idea what to do with my future. But I feel like its totally fine not to have a plan.” I enthusiastically agree with him once again.

 

“Life shows you your pathway. You just need to take the chances. Don’t be too hard on yourself”

– Maik

His guiding philosophy is one he repeats throughout the conversation: “Life shows you your pathway. You just need to take the chances. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

We smile, agreeing that the future of Kiam Films is unknown, and that is a good thing. 

As for whether he’ll return to Warwick?

He grins.
“Maybe I’m coming back to Warwick.”

If Warwick has indeed made someone famous, it feels reassuring that it is Maik – someone whose sincerity and humility mirror the very qualities that made his content resonate in the first place. 

Warwick – I think we definitely made the right person famous.

And who knows, Warwick’s BNOC may yet return to reclaim the title for another year!