DESI SNL
Desi SNL is returning in 2026, and after an incredible first show in November, we’re excited to open up our writer’s room to new voices. If you’ve ever wanted to write sketch comedy that reflects our community with heart, humor, and bold ideas, we’d love to read your work.
🗓 EPISODE 3 SUBMISSIONS
The deadline to submit for Episode 3 is Sunday, May 31 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
Submit your sketch below to be considered for our next show.
Sketch prompts we'd love to see: While you're welcome to submit anything, we're especially excited to read sketches in these categories for Episode 3:
- India & Pakistan Independence Days
- US Semiquincentennial (America's 250th)
- Sketches about Desi women's experiences
📌 Watch the recording of our writer info session: Desi SNL YouTube
📌 Read through the info session slides: Writer's Room Session Slides
🌶 WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We’re asking writers to submit one fully written sketch. Think of something that feels ready for the stage with characters, dialogue, and a clear comedic arc. This means a complete, readable sketch with dialogue, structure, and jokes - not an outline, bullet list, or partial draft.
(Just so there’s no confusion: we’re not accepting outlines or bullet-point lists. We want to see the full piece in your voice.)
In your sketch, we’re hoping to experience:
- A clear premise
- A developing game
- Thoughtful heightening as the sketch builds
- A satisfying button at the end
You don’t need to label these parts formally — they just help guide you as you write. If you'd like to use a template to write yours, feel free to use this one. We're holding an info session on December 16th if you have more questions about the submission.
The Desi SNL team after our debut show, November 2025. (📸 Nader Farzan)
🌱 OUR COMEDIC VALUES
Our show is rooted in a few guiding ideas:
- Humor that comes from insight, not cheap shots
- Punching up rather than punching down
- Satire aimed at traditions, systems, and norms not individuals
- A willingness to take creative risks and explore fresh perspectives
More than anything, we’re excited by sketches that feel specific, personal, and surprising.
📝 SUBMISSION RELEASE
Every submission should include a signed Desi SNL Submission Release so we can properly review and consider your work.
🚨 Please sign this release form and attach it to your submission.
✨ WHO SHOULD APPLY
Anyone with an interest in South Asian stories, satire, and comedy that pushes forward with love and curiosity. You don’t need prior sketch experience, just a point of view and an openness to play.
📬 HOW TO SUBMIT
Fill out this form and remember to include your Release Form.
🧡 JOIN US
Desi SNL is building a creative home for thoughtful, funny, community-centered storytelling. If you’ve ever laughed at something in our culture and thought, “This could be a sketch,” we’d be thrilled to see what you come up with.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
That's okay! You don't need prior sketch experience. We're looking for writers with strong voices, clear points of view, and the willingness to learn and rewrite. Check out our info session recording and slides in the resources section above to learn more about sketch structure and get guidance.
No, we're asking for one fully written sketch per writer. We want to see your best work and strongest voice in a single, polished submission.
While our content centers South Asian culture and experiences, we welcome anyone who is excited about this community and can write thoughtfully and authentically about it.
If your sketch is selected, you'll work with our team to develop it for the next 2026 live show. This includes collaborative rewrites, attending rehearsals, and seeing your work performed live on stage!
Our cast and crew operates on profit sharing from ticket sales. Writers whose sketches get selected for the show will get a writing credit and a portion of the profits. Specifics will be shared with writers when we onboard them.
Most sketches run 3-5 minutes and are performed live in the theater with a cast of 2-6 actors. In script form, this typically translates to 3-5 pages if you're using this template. Focus on a tight premise with strong escalation rather than length.
No! Submissions are completely free. We want to remove all barriers for talented writers to share their work.