Frank Cottrell Boyce, born in 1959, is a British screenwriter and novelist, primarily recognized for his children's literature and his collaborations with director Michael Winterbottom. His career highlights include writing for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and creating sequels for Ian Fleming's "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Boyce has received prestigious awards for his books, such as the Carnegie Medal for "Millions" and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for "The Unforgotten Coat." He has also contributed to television, writing for soaps like "Coronation Street" and "Brookside," and more recently, the series "Doctor Who."

Beyond his creative output, Cottrell-Boyce is an advocate for reading and was appointed Children's Laureate for a two-year term starting in 2024. His personal life includes a large family and a background influenced by his Catholic upbringing and his studies at Oxford University. His work often challenges conventional narrative structures, as seen in his film "24 Hour Party People." Boyce's contributions extend to cultural events and academia, holding a professorship at Liverpool Hope University.

Frank Cottrell Boyce has established a notable career in both literature and film. He gained significant recognition for his children's novels, earning the Carnegie Medal for "Millions" and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for "The Unforgotten Coat." His writing for film includes extensive collaborations with director Michael Winterbottom on projects like "Welcome to Sarajevo" and "24 Hour Party People." Boyce has also penned sequels to the classic "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," demonstrating a versatility that spans original screenplays, adaptations, and children's fiction. His approach to storytelling has been noted for its inventiveness, with Boyce expressing skepticism towards traditional narrative formulas like the "three-act structure."

Cottrell-Boyce's influence extends beyond individual works into broader cultural spheres. He was the principal writer for the highly visible 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London, a project that showcased his ability to craft narratives for large-scale public events. His commitment to literacy is further evidenced by his role as Professor of Reading at Liverpool Hope University and his patronage of The Reader Organisation, a charity promoting reading aloud in various community settings. His appointment as Children's Laureate in 2024 underscores his ongoing dedication to children's literature and engagement with young readers.

“I just had to move on ... what better way to walk away than by giving Winterbottom a good script for free?”

“I'm definitely a children's writer[;] that's what I want to be. I'm always trying to get rid of everything else. ... The movies I'm doing are ones that have been on the blocks for a long time.”