ALZA Festival is a first-of-its-kind festival dedicated to micro-stories and vertical storytelling.

ALZA will debut in New York City on Oct. 16-18 and feature premieres, conversations, industry gatherings, and more.

Micro-stories are a new generation of short-form entertainment created specifically for the vertical screen. Designed for mobile viewing, they deliver compelling narratives in just a few minutes and can take the form of standalone shorts or serialized storytelling.

Micro-series are episodic micro-stories, typically consisting of one- to three-minute episodes designed for binge viewing. They combine the narrative ambition of television with the accessibility and pace of mobile-first entertainment.

ALZA serves creators and studios working in short-form storytelling, fans who actively engage with micro-content, and brands seeking authentic ways to participate in creator culture.

The debut festival will be Oct. 16-18, 2026 in New York City at AMC 19th St. East 6, with a multi-day program of screenings, premieres, creator conversations, and experiential activations.

Sign-up for updates.

Creators can submit projects for consideration. Please visit our submissions page for more information.

Brands may inquire about partnership opportunities.

Fans can join the mailing list for early ticket access and programming announcements.

Sign-up for updates to more information on program, participation and attendance.

Submissions for ALZA Festival are now open and are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway.

ALZA accepts both standalone vertical shorts and serialized micro-series/episodics created specifically for the vertical screen.

Please visit FilmFreeway for complete eligibility requirements, rules, and regulations.

The submission deadline is August 14.

Yes. Our venues, projection systems, and programming layouts are designed specifically to showcase vertical and mobile-native content in immersive live environments.

Torres Live is a live events platform and festival producer dedicated to the next generation of storytelling.

Launching in New York City in Fall 2026 with the inaugural ALZA Festival, Torres Live transforms digital-native content—particularly micro-dramas and vertical series—into curated, in-person cultural experiences.

The platform brings together creators, audiences, and brands through premieres, live screenings, conversations, and immersive activations.

Founded by former Tribeca Festival COO Pete Torres alongside Founding Partners, Rita Vinnik and Katie Korfhage, Torres Live is building the premier stage for micro-storytelling and a new bridge between internet culture and real-world experiences.

Combining expertise across live events, creator culture, content strategy, and operations, the company is creating a new platform for the future of entertainment.