Hello there! I’m Michael, a storyteller, film educator, and full-time “nomad” passionate about helping people wake up to their potential. That led me to running a popular educational website for many years, through which I mentored 1000s of students from 90 different countries in the art and craft of filmmaking.
Most of my life has been spent abroad. I grew up in post-colonial Africa as a missionary’s son, shot film projects internationally, and based in Europe as an American expat during the pandemic. Today, I wander the world in search of different cinema traditions, perspectives, and adventures - from discovering the magic of Bollywood firsthand in Mumbai, to trekking from village to village through Guatemala’s Ring of Fire, to surviving a run-in with a grizzly in the Alaskan wilderness.
📍 Where cinema & travel meet to inspire you
Luke leaves Tatooine to find his place in the galaxy... Neo leaves The Matrix to embrace his destiny in the real world... Frodo leaves the Shire to destroy the One Ring.
Like the heroes in the stories we love, at some point in our lives, each of us is called to step into the unknown - to move to a new home, go after a new relationship, or start a new job. The best films aren’t just entertainment... They’re reflections of our journeys, offering insights into our life experiences and the courage to keep going.
The Lighthouse aims to be a beacon for you as you navigate life’s storms, chart your course, and find your way. Practically, it comes alongside you as a companion and guide - an Obi-Wan, an Oracle, a Gandalf 🧙♂️ - a mentor and ally in two main capacities: through in-depth film analysis and by sharing tales from my travels.
What that means is that we don’t just “watch” films here. We go the extra mile and dissect their art and craft, breaking down screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design to appreciate the creative intent behind every frame.
Since films I curate come from around the world, life on the road helps me illuminate deeper meanings behind their creative choices. By building our understanding of the universal language of cinema - and the different cultures that shape it - we gain enriching new perspectives on the stories we tell for the screen and through our lives.
For a sense of what this looks like in practice, check out what’s coming up!
Of course, I have my blind spots, so if I miss something, please let me know. That way, we can foster an empathetic community that spans countries and continents.
🎟️ What you get when you subscribe, free & paid
You can subscribe to The Lighthouse for free or pay a little bit to upgrade. The subscription model isn’t perfect, but it solves a lot of problems. Instead of catering to inscrutable black-box search algorithms or wondering if a headline will drive traffic, I can focus 100% on building a relationship directly with you and your kindred spirits.
This Substack is a living thing that adapts and evolves, but currently:
Everyone gets my flagship newsletter, CALL TO ADVENTURE, delivered via email for free a few times a month. It features a blend of cinematic exploration, travel stories, and practical wisdom, designed to spark your creativity and help you navigate your own Hero’s Journey. Plus, as a paid subscriber, for only $5/month or $50/year:
Join our Movie Club, CROSSING THE THRESHOLD, where we hang out, network, trade stories, and break down films together in real-time.
Go “behind the scenes” with me in an exclusive monthly newsletter, THE ULTIMATE BOON. It curates more thoughts and recommendations worth your time. That means more movies and firsthand travel stories, as well as books and articles, music and podcasts, quotes and cat videos, etc. An informal smattering of culture and commentary to fuel your growth, inspire you, and make you smile.
Contact me personally through Direct Messages on Substack. Let’s talk one-on-one about film, travel, etc. and get your questions answered!
Plus, get access to my audio recordings of all editions of THE ULTIMATE BOON. I keep it pretty casual, so it’s a fun and personal way to follow along for those times when you don’t feel like reading.
…You’ll simply be supporting me, too. The Lighthouse doesn’t write itself, so your subscription helps to pay for things and keep our proverbial lantern lit. 🔥
Zooming out, sometimes all we need in order to move forward is “a little nudge out of the door*”. I aim to do the nudging as best I can - daring us to think more broadly, live more fully, and create more freely.
*Inspired by this film clip, I thought about calling this Substack “Disturber of the Peace”, until I realized that that made me sound like a death metal band. Sadly, I can’t shred a guitar to save my life! My qualifications lie in other areas.
For those curious to hear more about my professional background, here you go! -
Michael Koehler is an award-winning screenwriter and film educator. After graduating from NYU Tisch and freelancing in NYC, he ran Lights Film School, a popular website in the indie filmmaking space through which he taught 1000s of students from 90 countries how to make movies on their own terms. He’s lived and traveled across five continents, bringing a uniquely global perspective to his writing, which has been featured in places like The Black List, Austin Film Festival, and The PAGE Awards. His latest screenplay is in advanced development in LA.
