Lukas Behnken is founder and creative producer of Sterling Light Productions, a DGA UPM, director, producer, script consultant, accomplished actor of over 50 films/TV shows, and mentor to formerly incarcerated youth.

Mr. Behnken thrives on building others up during all facets of filmmaking, turning visions into reality and has received praise and recognition for his ability to solve insurmountable challenges in all phases of production.

Most recently, Mr. Behnken produced American Skin, winner of the Sconfini Best Film award at Venice Film Festival.  Producing stories with Nate Parker for more than a decade, American Skin is their first feature film together. Mr. Behnken has also been involved with the Nate Parker Foundation (NPF); teaching film production to the youth that Mr. Parker mentors.

Mr. Behnken produced for the upcoming Alejandro Monteverde film The Sound of Freedom (2023).

Mr. Behnken directed/produced the upcoming documentary I Hate You, But It's Killing Me, projected to be released in 2021, along with a social action campaign focused on forgiveness.

Mr. Behnken also served as production supervisor and associate producer for The Royal (2022).

Mr. Behnken produced the documentary Mully, an award-winning story depicting the extraordinary rags-to-riches success story of Charles Mully, chronicling his work with disadvantaged youth in Kenya and the creation of his organization Mully Children’s Family.  Mr. Behnken was involved in all phases of production from filming on location in Africa to spearheading the social action distribution campaign in America and globally with FOR GOOD. Mully released theatrically on an estimated 1000 screens through a Fathom Event over 3 nights. Due to the overwhelming success of the initial release, Fathom held an encore theatrical release event. Mr. Behnken created the first of its kind social movement initiative with the release of Mully, partnering with foster and adoption agencies to place ambassadors in theaters across the country, instantly connecting those moved by the film to become involved in fostering/adopting children.

After Mully, Mr. Behnken returned to Africa to produce Zawadi, an award-winning short film and official selection of the Seattle International Film Festival in 2015.  That same year, Mr. Behnken produced and acted in the immersive web series The Well.

Along with actor/writer/director Scott Haze, Mr. Behnken was a founding member of The Sherry Theater - Center for Performing Arts in the North Hollywood Arts District, Los Angeles, California.

As an actor Mr. Behnken made his television debut on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1998, going on to appear in more than 50 film and television shows.

“If ‘American Skin’ is understood, its message to take “a beat” will save many lives; immediately.” - Lukas Behnken
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