I’m James Topham, a screenwriter based in Edinburgh with a passion for using genre story-telling to engage with big ideas. I cut my teeth on Channel 4’s 4Screenwriting program and was a finalist on Coming Up. Since then, I’ve developed projects with industry heavyweights like Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, Addictive Pictures, and Gaumont. In 2019, my family fantasy script THE MINISTRY OF UMBRELLAS won the BAFTA/Rocliffe New Writing Competition.

My writing spans diverse genres – from high-concept action and psychological thrillers to sci-fi noir and supernatural mysteries. I have a love of stories that blend rich character development with innovative concepts.

I’m also passionate about nurturing new talent. For the past two years, I’ve mentored writers on the 4Screenwriting long-list, giving back to the program that launched my career.

Whether I’m creating dystopian worlds or family fantasies, I aim to craft narratives that challenge and engage audiences. I believe the best stories captivate while offering fresh perspectives on our shared human experience.