Terri Tatchell

Biography

Terri Tatchell is a Canadian screenwriter and children’s book author best known for her work in science fiction cinema. She gained international recognition for co-writing the screenplay of District 9 (2009) with her husband, filmmaker Neill Blomkamp. The film’s success established her as a respected voice in modern genre storytelling.

Early Life and Education

Terri Tatchell was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From an early age, she showed interest in storytelling and creative writing. Her passion for film writing led her to enroll in the Vancouver Film School, where she completed the Writing for Film and Television program in 2001. This formal training helped shape her professional approach to screenwriting.

Film Career

Tatchell began her professional screenwriting career in 2006 with the short action film Yellow (also known as Adicolor Yellow), directed by Neill Blomkamp. The project allowed her to explore visual storytelling within a compact narrative format.

Her breakthrough came in 2009 with District 9, a science-fiction film that combined social commentary with action and emotional depth. The screenplay, co-written with Blomkamp, was praised for its originality, realism, and political relevance. The film became a global success and brought Tatchell widespread recognition.

She later contributed to other science-fiction projects, including Chappie (2015) and the short film Zygote (2017), continuing her involvement in thoughtful, concept-driven storytelling.

Children’s Books

In addition to screenwriting, Tatchell is also an accomplished children’s author. She created the “Endangered and Misunderstood” picture book series, which introduces young readers to lesser-known endangered animals. Each book aims to educate children about wildlife conservation while encouraging empathy and environmental awareness.

This work reflects her commitment to meaningful storytelling across different age groups.

Awards and Recognition

Terri Tatchell’s work on District 9 earned multiple prestigious nominations, including:

Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay

Saturn Award nominations

She also received the Bradbury Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2009 for her contribution to the screenplay, honoring her impact on science fiction storytelling.

Personal Life

Terri Tatchell is married to filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, and the two frequently collaborate creatively. Their partnership has resulted in some of the most distinctive science-fiction films of the modern era.