DIRECTORS

Natalie Erika James is a Japanese-Australian writer, director, and producer based in Melbourne, Australia. Her debut feature, RELIC, is a psychological horror starring Emily Mortimer, Bella Heathcote and Robyn Nevin, produced by Carver Films, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Nine Stories and executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ Agbo Films. RELIC premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was programmed in SXSW, BFI London Film Festival and Sitges Film Festival, where it was awarded a Special Mention for Direction. The film has recently received a nomination for Best Film at the 2020 IFP Gotham Awards, as well as numerous nominations for Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay at the 2020 Australian Academy of Cinema Television Arts Awards, the Australian Director’s Guild Awards and the Australian Writer’s Guild Awards.