His debut film, Cashing Out (directed by Matt Nadel) — about a controversial AIDS-era industry where dying gay men sold their life insurance policies to investors — was distributed by The New Yorker magazine, and appeared as in-flight entertainment on American Airlines.

Praised as “vital and outstanding” (Hilton Als, The New Yorker), and “gripping… a rich, albeit macabre, historical story” (Shrai Popat, The Guardian), the film premiered at Provincetown International Film Festival, and went on to screen at DOC NYC and the Museum of Modern Art.

In 2025, Cashing Out was shortlisted for the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Film.

Luke’s next documentary short as a producer, Odd Man In, will premiere in 2026 on PBS’ decorated film series Independent Lens. He is currently developing his first narrative feature film as a director.