FILMMAKER.
MUPPETS ENTHUSIAST.
STORY-TELLER.

Sam Koehler is a freelance filmmaker based in Chicago, passionately pursuing directing to create stories that bring people together.

I’ve always been fascinated with storytelling. When I was growing up in Columbus, eventually I reached an age where my interests started to pretty heavily diverge from that of my family and friends. But, whether it was watching movies together or enjoying the same music, we were able to stay connected through art.

My ideal hangout is going to the movie theatre and talking about the film in the parking lot afterward. Even during the pandemic, I was able to maintain connection with my loved ones via shared media. I have a lot of fond memories during that bleak period of watching movies with friends over Zoom. Connection is really important to me, and it’s a value that I think carries over into all my work.

Three filmmakers I draw heavy inspiration from are the works of Michael Powell, Jim Henson, and Steven Spielberg. All three of them were able to craft extraordinary images and create alternate realities that completely encapsulate the audience, especially impressive given the limitations of the time. Through my own work, I aim to create stories and characters that similarly draw in the audience, and bring people together in my own way.