Sid Patwa is an Indian-American screenwriter and director who specializes in minority-driven comedy with a music sensibility—and just enough emotional damage to make it deep. He’s currently employed as Will Smith’s personal writer (yes, the Will Smith), helping with everything from dialogue to speeches to PR, and is developing a family adventure feature with him. Previously, Sid served as a Creative Executive at Westbrook Studios, where he worked on Bad Boys: Ride or Die and other projects involving explosions, emotions, or a bit of both.

His scripts have racked up finalist spots at top competitions like the Academy Nicholl and Sundance, and his short films have collected over 30 laurels—mainly because he refuses to stop submitting them. Sid has also done stand-up comedy, hosted a wildly honest podcast about dating, and is currently pitching both a teen sci-fi novel and a graphic novel to publishing houses, because frankly, sleep is for people with healthy personal boundaries.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Sid was raised by Indian immigrants, graduated from Boston University with a business degree he never uses, and spent 13 years in real estate finance before finally admitting that writing was his true love (sorry, Excel, sorry Mom and Dad, sorry bank account). He moonlit as a hip-hop DJ in college and now moonlights as a dad to his proudest achievement: a sharp, hilarious 11-year-old daughter who is half Indian, half Filipino, and 100% Hufflepuff.

On a good day, Sid still shoots 50% from 3-point land—emotionally and on the court.