Melissa Sarmiento

Writer/Screenwriter

I am a passionate female writer of unconventional, relatable characters, exploring themes of identity and fear through fast-paced storytelling.

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Projects

El Pueblo

A culinary school dropout must overcome his insecurities to help a struggling Mexican restaurant from closing its doors for good.

The Clown Show

At the brink of a quarter-life crisis, a depressed man quits his cushy Wall Street job to become a clown for a ragtag travelling circus group.

Tears

A father-daughter duo must try to survive an alien invasion despite their strained relationship.

About Me

My parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States in the early 2000s, both with histories of hardship and perseverance. I was born and raised in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles with my two siblings.

Most of my youth was spent reading mountains of books at the local library and watching my favorite shows on TV. My interest in genres ranged from fantasy to nonfiction history to magical realism. I decided early on that I wanted to tell stories that inspired deep, meaningful emotions in a viewer or reader.

I enjoy writing engaging female characters, stories about Latino families, and diverse social topics.