What happens when brands and established Hollywood talent enter the vertical space? Through two case studies, one brand-led and one celebrity-driven, this conversation explores different paths to creating premium vertical entertainment. Filmmakers, producers, and platform executives will unpack how each project came together, from development and creative choices to partnerships, production, and distribution, and examine what brands, talent, and platforms can learn from one another as they experiment with new ways to reach audiences.

As vertical drama grows, what will it take to build businesses that last? This candid executive conversation explores the economics and evolution of the format, from financing, ownership, and distribution to the changing roles of creators, studios, and platforms. Panelists will examine what creator-led models can teach the industry about audiences and creative control, whether vertical can stand as a lasting format, and how companies are building sustainable models around a rapidly expanding global audience.

Brands are moving beyond traditional advertising to create vertical series audiences actually choose to watch. Featuring short selections from projects created for Crocs, Audible, and birddogs, this session explores what it takes to turn brand goals into compelling entertainment. From creative development and production to talent and audience, the conversation will unpack where brands fit into the process and how story can build lasting engagement beyond a single post.

The lines between creator, filmmaker, actor, producer and studio are increasingly blurred. Featuring screenings of Investigator, Investigator and Next Session, this program brings together O’Neil Thomas, Milky Tran, Sarah Pribis and Melissa Becraft for a special conversation about what it means to be a “creator” today, how the role is evolving, and what it allows them to become when traditional labels no longer define the work.

GammaTime brings five of its leading actors to ALZA Festival for a dynamic, performer-led exploration of vertical storytelling. Shayne Davis, Cayman Cardiff, Volodymyr Pielikh, Luke Dodge and Seth Edeen will present standout scenes, trailers and exclusive first looks from five GammaTime series spanning romantic comedy, YA romance, dark romance and drama. Through an engaging panel conversation, the actors will share their experiences working in the fast-evolving format, from adapting performance for the mobile screen to embracing heightened emotion, rapid pacing and bold genre storytelling. Featuring an exclusive teaser for The Summer I Turned My Sexiest 2, this showcase offers an inside look at entertainment’s newest screen.

How does the same story change when it’s created for two very different screens? This conversation explores the creative and practical shifts between vertical and horizontal storytelling—from writing, framing, performance, and pacing to production workflow, distribution, and economics. As stories increasingly move between formats, the panel examines a central question: Is vertical simply a new way to frame a story, or does it demand a storytelling language all its own?

The phone has become an entertainment screen, and vertical storytelling is quickly evolving beyond the social feed. This presentation explores where the format is today and where it’s headed, from the rise of microdramas and platform-native series to brand-powered entertainment and vertical’s role as a bridge to film, television, and streaming. Zane Productions looks at what this expanding landscape means for filmmakers, brands, and the next generation of storytelling.

What would it take to make New York a hub for vertical production? Bringing together creators, producers, and industry voices working across the city, this conversation explores New York’s emerging vertical ecosystem—from its creative talent and production infrastructure to its deep and experienced workforce. The panel will examine the opportunities, challenges, and resources needed to build a sustainable vertical production economy and establish New York as a center for the format’s continued growth.

What makes a performer stand out on the vertical screen? This conversation explores how casting is evolving alongside the format, what qualities make talent particularly compelling in vertical storytelling, and how casting professionals and creators are identifying the next generation of stars built for the small screen.

What can a vertical series reveal about new models for entertainment? This conversation begins with Rico’s Tacos, a brand-supported vertical series that offers a real-world case study in bringing together storytelling, commerce, and values-driven programming. The discussion explores how the series came together, what made its model distinctive, and lessons from its launch before expanding to the larger opportunities around retail media, brand-supported entertainment, and faith-and-family programming.

What goes into building a vertical series from the ground up? This conversation looks at the full creative and production journey, from developing a concept and shaping a story for the vertical format to production, post, and release. Drawing on firsthand experience producing series for the rapidly growing space, the panel explores the creative decisions, production strategies, and practical considerations behind bringing a vertical series from idea to audience.

What happens when a brand moves beyond advertising and starts creating entertainment of its own? This conversation takes a closer look at Bilt’s move into vertical storytelling with Roomies, exploring how the series came together from concept through production. Bilt discusses the thinking behind the project, what they learned along the way, and the opportunities vertical series create for brands to connect with audiences through original entertainment.

What makes a story truly work on the vertical screen? Richard Lawson and Denee Busbee of Hyperlens share ten practical principles for creating stories specifically for the format. This masterclass explores the creative choices that shape compelling vertical storytelling, from structure and pacing to performance and visual composition, offering a framework for creators looking to make the most of the screen.

Vertical micro-series are reshaping global entertainment, and Africa is emerging as a dynamic new market for the format. CEEIT CEO and Co-Founder and former Lionsgate executive Lavenna Peters joins producer, educator, and BAFTA Fellow Melissa Adeyemo to explore the opportunities vertical storytelling is creating for African talent and diasporic audiences. Together, they’ll discuss new models for production, distribution, and investment.The program also includes the world premiere screening of Confessions of a Gold Digger.