Stuart St. Paul

Stuart St. Paul is an exceptional keynote speaker, bringing over 50 years of experience at the forefront of film and television to audiences around the world. Originally trained by the BBC, he began his career in dramatics at the age of 27 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a leading stunt coordinator and action director. Stuart’s work includes some of the most iconic productions in cinema history, such as James Cameron’s Aliens, where he portrayed the Queen Alien, as well as three James Bond films and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. His fight choreography for stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, and his collaborations with filmmakers such as Ken Russell and Merchant Ivory, showcase a career that spans both adrenaline-fuelled action and critically acclaimed drama.

Transitioning from action to storytelling, Stuart made his mark as a director, winning Best Director in the USA and a Silver Palm at Mexico’s MIFF, while also earning nominations at France’s Cabourg Romantic Film Festival and Italy’s Verona Shermi D’Amour. His direction of the Netflix-released film Freight received international recognition and over 20 global awards, from Mumbai to Canada. His talent was further honoured when Pierre-Henri Deleau, former director of Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, handpicked him as the UK representative and jury member for the Millennial European Film Awards in Stuttgart. This extensive success behind the camera highlights Stuart’s adaptability and deep understanding of visual storytelling.

Now an accomplished author, Stuart has channelled his creativity into writing, producing the bestselling nine-book ‘Cruise Ship Crime Investigators (CSCI)’ series, with the debut title ‘Cruise Ship Heist’ topping multiple Amazon charts. His experience in both literature and film gives him a unique perspective on the storytelling process, which he shares with warmth and humour during his engaging lectures. Whether he's discussing the differences between writing novels and screenplays or revealing the behind-the-scenes chaos of blockbuster sets - often involving legal hurdles, insurance issues, and natural disasters - Stuart’s talks are packed with entertaining and inspiring anecdotes.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Stuart’s personal journey adds emotional depth to his speaking engagements. Following a near-fatal on-set accident, he endured brain surgery and PTSD, eventually turning to writing as a form of therapy and creative renewal. This powerful narrative of resilience and reinvention makes his talks not only informative but profoundly moving. Stuart is more than a speaker—he is a storyteller, a survivor, and a passionate creative who connects with audiences through honesty, humour, and heart.