Who Is Mikhail Schemm? All About the Filipino-Swiss Entertainment CEO

From underground warehouse parties in London to orchestral film screenings in Manila, Mikhail Schemm has worked across some very different corners of the entertainment world. The Filipino-Swiss entrepreneur has spent over a decade in music, events, and business, with a career that has taken him between Europe and Southeast Asia.

The businessman recently drew attention after appearing in photos from actress Sarah Lahbati’s 33rd birthday celebrations. Sarah, who also has Filipino and Swiss heritage, shared glimpses of this online, including a snapshot with Mikhail.

Curious about the man behind the entertainment ventures? Here are five things to know about Mikhail Schemm.

Born in Hong Kong, Mikhail was raised in Rome before spending seven years in London and a year in Berlin. According to his artist profile on Resident Advisor, these experiences helped shape his musical interests, particularly his affinity for electronic music.

His Filipino and Swiss heritage also informs his international background. Mikhail studied Southeast Asian Studies and Management at SOAS University of London, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2011, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is also multilingual, speaking English, German, and Italian.

Mikhail’s interest in dance music began when he was 12, after his uncle gave him a mix CD. According to Resident Advisor, his uncle was one of the Philippines’ leading DJs at the time, giving Mikhail an early introduction to the local music scene.

His sound centers on house music, with influences from techno, disco, electro, and world music. During his time in Berlin, he also worked under electronic music producer Richie Hawtin, further deepening his understanding of the genre.

Mikhail went on to organize FunkyZeit, a series of warehouse parties in London that ran for four years and drew thousands of music fans each month. His events have also brought him into the same lineups as international acts such as Jamie xx, Bicep, and Nina Kraviz.

After gaining experience in Europe’s music scene, Mikhail turned his attention to Manila. He co-founded UNKNWN, an events brand centered on electronic music and dance-focused gatherings, with events held around the city and beyond.

He also became part of the founding team behind 20:20, a Manila nightclub dedicated to electronic music. 

Mikhail’s work in music extended to CC:Concepts, an events and live entertainment company he co-founded in 2017. The company organized electronic music events and concerts, with past bookings including A$AP Ferg, Jaden Smith, Four Tet, and Breakbot & Irfane.

Mikhail’s professional interests have expanded beyond club nights and music festivals. In March 2024, he founded Third Culture Entertainment, an entertainment group focused on intellectual property-based and location-based experiences across the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the company’s website, its work spans live events, immersive experiences, and consulting for entertainment projects. Its current ventures include Film Concerts PH, Immersive PH, and Zero Latency VR Philippines, with operations extending into Vietnam through Film Concerts VN.

His career has also taken him into business strategy, marketing, and partnerships. Before establishing Third Culture Entertainment, Mikhail worked in Singapore, Milan, and Manila, including roles in climate technology, destination experiences, and brand marketing.

One of Mikhail’s current ventures, Film Concerts PH, presents screenings accompanied by live orchestral performances of their soundtracks. The format gives audiences the opportunity to watch familiar films on a large screen as musicians perform the scores in sync with the action.

The company’s productions have included the Harry Potter series, Studio Ghibli, Moana, and Frozen.