Paula Walker

Paula Walker is a writer and director based in Los Angeles. She first developed her fascination with women's interior lives and the layered complexities of family growing up in her mother's literary salon. Trained in theater and dance at the University of Michigan, her background in movement shapes her lyrical cinematic style and intuitive directing approach.

Her shorts SEED-starring Frances Fisher and Diane Venora, winner of the Palm Springs Audience Award-and Mind Games (Chelsea Film Festival, La Femme, IBFF Nashville) established her festival presence, narrative voice, and served as strategic proofs-of-concept. Before her transition to film, Walker built a career directing internationally recognized commercials and music videos. Known as one of the first Black female music video directors in the US, Walker has directed global campaigns for BMW, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz earning awards including the Cannes Silver Lion and Germany's prestigious Die-Kappe Award. She has collaborated with artists including Jamie Lee Curtis, Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman, and Leonard Cohen, Queen Latifah, Nicole Scherzinger.

Walker's process is rooted in uncovering emotional truth. Her intuitive approach to filmmaking allows authentic performances to emerge organically. As a dancer, movement has a strong influence on her work. She often calls upon past collaborations with companies such as Pilobolus, Pina Bausch, the Frankfurt Ballet Company, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem in her directing.

Walker's understanding of the body and its relation to space allow her to take visual risks and extract emotional resonance on screen. Her current projects include the feature Lush Life and the documentary Space in Between.

Through her company Strato Films, Walker is building a slate of projects that marry emotional resonance with commercial viability. Following two decades of proven commercial success, studio relationships with HBO and Lionsgate, and a growing narrative slate, Walker's evolution from commercial and music video director to narrative filmmaker is a strategic expansion. A proven interdisciplinary artist, she is actively approaching new projects that leverage her authentic voice and visual mastery.