Paula Walker
/ Director
My Story
Paula Walker brings her unique perspective to every project she embraces. From feature films and documentaries to commercials, music videos and theatrical dance experiences, her distinct vision resonates regardless of the medium or subject matter.
Paula started her career as a dancer and performer. Having studied theater and dance at the University of Michigan and trained as a professional dancer, Paula always had a fascination with the poetry of movement, which is most readily evident in her extensive body of music video work where she has directed films for artists such as Marc Anthony, Queen Latifah and Leonard Cohen.
To this day, the poetry of movement still holds a heavy influence on her work, and has been drawn upon during collaborations with innovative companies such as Pilobolus, Pina Bausch, the Frankfurt Ballet Company and the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Partnering with her husband, award-winner director of photography Rolf Kestermann, Paula founded Strato Films, a commercial and music video production company, through which they have created campaigns for a host of diverse brands including BMW, Revlon, Mercedes Benz, Cover Girl, Maybelline, Aveeno, Coca-Cola and Bacardi.
She co-directed a documentary about the Haitian Citadel in Haiti for the Clinton Foundation and is in production on another documentary titled “The Space In Between,” which dives into the intersection of dance, culture and civil rights in the American South.
As a director, Paula has been honored with several awards including the Cannes Silver Lion, the International Monitor Award, and the Deutscher Kommunikationsverband-Die-Kappe, Germany’s equivalent to the Clios. Currently, she is in the pre-production process of LUSH LIFE, a feature film that she wrote. Paula lives in Los Angeles and studied theater and dance at the University of Michigan.
My Awards
- Award(s) Category Film Title
- International Monitor Award Best Director, Music Video Tina Turner "Way Of The World"
- The New York Festivals Int'l TV Advertising Strato Films "Trapez"
- The New York Festivals Silver Medal Strato Films, Mercedes Benz "See Things Differently"
- Lillian Gish Award Excellence in Music Video "Stay and Let Me Love You"
- Palm Springs International Short Film Festival Audience Favorite "Seed: A Love Story"
- Art Directors Club Deutschland Bronzemedaille "Anders Sehen"
- Worldfest Flagstaff, Gold Award TV Commercials & PSA Awards "Amaretto: Passion"
- Cannes Silver Lion "Trapez"
- Deutscher Kommunikationsverband Die Klappe Mercedes-Benze E-Klasse "Anders Sehen"
