Sebastian Siegel is a British-American screenwriter, director, author, and actor from Oxford, England. His father is Indian religions professor and acclaimed writer, Lee Siegel. His grandfather, Leonard Thompson, was an active opponent of apartheid, author, and professor of South African history at Yale. Sebastian began studying drama at age seven. He was accepted to college at age fifteen to study theatre, and won the drama prize at Kent School.

He often credits gratefulness to theatre, zen, rigorous exercise, authors Alan Watts, Ken Wilber, James Hollis, other philosophers and artists, and friend and mentor James Whitmore.

"Like the book it's adapted from, this film is brilliant. Grace and Grit will shake you, and maybe even awaken you in some way. This movie is a must-see, especially for anyone interested in love or consciousness."

• John Mackey

"Like The Tree of Life or The Fountain, Grace and Grit is a movie that takes you on a spiritual journey into the depths of love, and then beyond. Sebastian Siegel is a dexterous and original director, his movie is transcendent storytelling at its best."

• Alex Grey

"This film stays with you, it grabs you. Both lead actors give Oscar worthy performances. Mena Suvari's revelatory performance is haunting me days later. Siegel's work feels expansive and creative. It's not just incredibly intimate... it's open and raw."

• Julia Ormond

"Grace and Grit is an epic love story. Sebastian's adaptation of this powerful book stays true to the source... this movie is a testament to the transformative powers of love."

• Marianne Williamson

"[Siegel's] film, Awakening World, takes you out of your own private hell. Likewise there are some beautiful and unexpected answers... viewers will enjoy the insights and these are excellent questions to ask. There's no time like the present to awaken."

• Whole Life Times

"Sebastian's art is shown in the way he brings people together."

• don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements