Tristram Atkins completed an Honours degree in Arts, specialising in Scriptwriting, at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) in 2007. He has worked on about 20 short films as a writer/producer.

His best film to date is "Ongeriewe", which was selected to compete in the Festival de Cannes Short Films in Competition category in 2006. Since then it has competed on every continent in film festivals, including winning Best South African Short Film at the Durban International Film Festival in 2006. He is also a Mandela Rhodes Scholar.

Tristram works as a visual media consultant for progressive NGO's and movements, but his passion remains writing.