Verticals and microdramas
News
The news from the vertical scene: launches, deals, festivals, tools and wins for the people who make and watch phone-first series.
MIPCOM 2026 to Host Global Microdrama and Vertical Leaders Summit
The major entertainment market MIPCOM is expanding its 2026 programming to focus heavily on vertical series and generative AI. The event will feature the debut of the Global Microdrama and Vertical Leaders Summit, bringing together traditional Hollywood studios and top short-form platforms.
Celebrating creators
Short films and AI-made shorts people are talking about. Every one plays on the creator's own channel.
Apex (AI short film)
Apex is a stunning, fully AI-generated short film by the pioneering duo The Dor Brothers. Showcasing cutting-edge generative video tools, this piece highlights how independent creators can now build high-concept, cinematic worlds without a massive studio budget. It is a must-watch for creators looking to push the boundaries of phone-first visual storytelling.
Watch on YouTubeLe Drip (animated short)
Directed by Alex Naghavi and Ezra Li, this painterly existential animated short is a festival-award winner crafted using cutting-edge AI tools like Flora and Runway. It demonstrates how creators can merge human screenwriting and art direction with advanced generative workflows to achieve a breathtaking cinematic aesthetic. A masterclass in modern AI-assisted filmmaking.
Watch on YouTubeA Face Only a Mother Could Love (AI short)
Robert Gaudette's poignant AI-generated short film tells the story of Marcel, a confident but lonely Parisian, and a woman who has watched him from afar. Having won the Grand Prix at the Runway AI Film Festival, it showcases how generative AI can craft deeply emotional, cinematic narratives. Creators can study its shot composition and character consistency as a benchmark for AI storytelling.
Watch on YouTubeLatest news
65 stories13:30
Imogen HarrisonLapse
- The Print on MSNIllustration
JK Super Cement Launches 53-Episode Vertical Microdrama for Brand Marketing
- Presley Paras
A Sweet Tooth
5:45
Kate Renshaw-LewisBusy Bodies (animated short)
15:04
Amie SongThree
10:47
Sara SilkinPressed to Fit
6:20
Dima UsovMary & Gus
- TheWrap on MSNCreatorsIllustration
Hollywood Leaders to Discuss the Rise of Microdramas at TheGrill
- B&TCreatorsIllustration
Why Brands Are Turning to Microdramas to Tap Into Modern Culture
26:57
Miguel Angelo PateSweetheart
- The IthacanCreators
Ithaca College Faculty and Students Produce Vertical Drama My Handyman is a Secret Billionaire
11:48
Katelyn DouglassSpanked by a Ghost
30:19
The New YorkerThe Reality of Hope (documentary short)
13:46
David JaffePining
- eWeekCreatorsIllustration
ByteDance's AI-Powered Short Drama App Hongguo Reaches 168 Million Daily Users
- AsiaOneIllustration
Korean Stars Spotted Filming New Microdrama in Singapore
- AsiaOneIllustration
Veteran Singaporean Actors Unite for New 100-Episode Microdrama
- Milwaukee Journal SentinelIllustration
HeyRuby.tv Launches First-Ever Microdrama Streaming Experience on Apple Watch
- Cole Jackson Walker
What Does It Take (experimental short)
- BCBusinessCreators
Vertical Microdramas Provide a Major Boost to British Columbia's Film Industry
13:49
Riley DoniganStairs
7:05
Jesse Samos Leaman and Taylor AdamsThe Artists (comedy short)
5:00
Noel Shibu SimonWhat Remains (documentary short)
- MintIllustration
How the Rise of Microdramas Is Forcing Traditional Streaming Services to Shorten Shows
- CNA Lifestyle
Mediacorp Partners With Korean Studios to Develop Four New Microdramas
- South China Morning Post on MSNIllustration
ByteDance’s Short-Drama App Outpaces Traditional Streaming Rivals in China
HeyRuby News collects positive and useful reporting about vertical series and microdramas from publications around the world. We write our own short summaries and send you to the original story. Spotted something we should cover? Tell us