Michael Hensley is the Founder and Creative Director of Lamplighter, a film studio rooted in the rolling green hills of East Tennessee—a place he’s proud to still call home. Though quiet as a child, Michael was bursting with curiosity, often exploring the world through the lens of his mother's video camera. He filmed everything around him: the chickens in the yard, the sway of the trees, the clouds in the sky. One of his earliest memories is running through the tobacco fields, camera in hand, capturing life as he saw it unfold. The name “Lamplighter” comes from a Scottish parable that left a deep mark on Michael’s heart. In the story, a man lights each lamp post in town every evening, bringing light to the dark village. A young boy watches him night after night from his windowsill, dreaming that one day he, too, will grow up to be a lamplighter. For Michael, this story is a reminder that every person is born with gifts meant to uplift others and bring light to dark places—a belief that shines through in every frame of his films. Michael’s creative vision is driven by the conviction that every human being carries an inner light and a story worth telling. He believes film has a unique power to break down barriers, allowing us to see one another’s dreams, fears, and hopes, and helping us step into each other’s shoes with compassion. His core values—kindness, integrity, and empathy—guide every project he undertakes. “Storytelling makes the world go round,” Michael often says. Through his work, he hopes that viewers remember they are known, seen, and understood by something much bigger than themselves. Lamplighter stands apart for the reverence Michael brings to each story he tells. Before founding the studio, he studied at the University of Tennessee and spent a decade working on Capitol Hill. He is also a graduate of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program at the Sewanee School of Theology, an experience that further shaped his belief in the transformative power of story and community. His path took a turn after Hurricane Helene, when he joined a housing nonprofit to help Central Appalachia recover from devastating floods—a chapter that further deepened his passion for storytelling that heals and connects communities. When he’s not behind the camera, Michael can often be found listening to music, hanging out with his nephews, nieces, and golden doodle Harper. Friends describe him as a good listener, someone who brings calm presence and genuine curiosity to every conversation. Michael’s dream for Lamplighter over the next decade is simple yet powerful: to continue creating films that help bring people closer together. The legacy he hopes Lamplighter leaves behind is this: that every viewer might better recognize the light they carry—and see that same light shining in the person standing right in front of them.