The Desi List
The Black List is proud to partner with The Salon on the first ever Desi List, highlighting the very best unproduced scripts written by South Asian writers.
Writers, filmmakers, and creators are invited to submit a feature film or original pilot script for consideration by uploading it to The Black List website beginning on February 28, 2024. Interested writers should identify as South Asian. Additionally, all submitted scripts must have at least one South Asian character in a prominent, lead role. Submissions will remain open until July 1, 2024.
Fee Waivers:
Update: as of 3/29/2024 all available fee waivers for the Desi List have been distributed. If you have not received one in the past year, we encourage you to explore our general fee waivers.
400 fee waivers are available to submitting writers thanks to AMC Networks! When submitting your script for Desi List consideration, you will be able to apply for one fee waiver per submitting writer.
Fee waivers will be equally distributed across all 2024 diversity lists and distributed at the discretion of diversity list partners, AMC Networks and the Black List. Please follow the link below for more information about how to apply for a diversity list fee waiver.
Desi List Requirements:
Only feature film and pilot scripts are eligible for the 2024 Desi List.
Writers should identify as South Asian. The UN defines South Asia as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
While writers can be from any country of origin, they must currently reside in the US. Citizens, residents, visiting students, and undocumented individuals who reside in the U.S. are welcome to apply.
Writing teams are eligible as long as one member of the team identifies as South Asian
Scripts can be multilingual as long as they are written primarily in English
Feature films, half-hour TV pilots, and one-hour TV pilots will be considered
All genres are eligible and will be considered
All scripts must have at least one South Asian character in a prominent, lead role
Timeline:
Submissions will be open from February 28, 2024 until July 1, 2024.
Writers selected for the Desi List will be notified of their placement in late summer 2024 with a public announcement to follow.
The Black List is proud to partner with The Salon for the inaugural Desi List and celebrate the most exciting emerging Desi voices! We will notify selected writers directly - thank you for your patience in the meantime.