Derrick Pete received his MFA from UCLA’s acclaimed Film & TV Screenwriting graduate program. While in the program, he was honored with the prestigious Showcase Award for best screenplay, gaining the attention of Hollywood agents and producers. Recently, Pete has turned his attention toward expanding his creative territory, adding producing and directing to the equation. To date, he has produced and directed three music videos and four short films. He produced the award-winning short film, Six Letter Word, starring Rumer Willis for AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Pete spent his early years in Elizabeth, East Orange and Irvington. Through the 8th grade, he attended a school for the performing arts until his mother decided to move to Marianna, Florida, that is. That move, to the rural part of the South, all but stunted the growth of his budding career in entertainment, for the moment, anyway.

Pete obtained his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida at Gainesville. He worked for Exxon Chemicals for four years in their research and development division. He holds two patents related to the purification of highly reactive olefins in mixed hydrocarbons. After his mother passed away and with nothing else to prove, Pete thought who needs a steady, secure job with benefits– move to Hollywood!