Originally from California, Emily James embarked on a multifaceted educational journey, first studying History at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by Philosophy at Cambridge University, and ultimately concluding her academic pursuits at the UK National Film and Television School, where her student films garnered international acclaim and prestigious awards.
Upon entering the professional realm, Emily's work was met with widespread critical acclaim, with her inaugural broadcast commission, The Luckiest Nut in the World, airing on Channel 4 in 2002, and earning her the esteemed title of "genius" from The Guardian, which prophesied that she would be revered as a television innovator in the years to come.
Subsequent to this groundbreaking achievement, Emily went on to create the experimental TV series Don't Worry, which aired on Channel 4 in 2004, and the TV films What Would Jesus Drive?, which premiered on Channel 4 in 2005, and The Battle for Broadway Market, which aired on Channel 4 in 2006.
As Emily's expertise and creative vision continued to evolve, she transitioned into feature films, serving as Executive Producer on the innovative hybrid docu-drama The Age of Stupid, starring Pete Postlethwaite, released in 2009.
Her feature directing debut, Just Do It - a tale of modern day outlaws, opened in 45 cinemas across the UK in 2011, and was showcased at numerous international film festivals.
Emily's most recent project, the feature documentary Silk Road: Death Drugs and the Dark Web, was completed in 2017, and was jointly commissioned by BBC Storyville and A&E Indie Fund, produced by Vice Media and Raw TV. Throughout her career, Emily has established a reputation for crafting inventive and engaging narratives, experimenting with innovative storytelling forms, and possessing a lightness of touch that has captivated audiences worldwide.
