VIDA
Vertical Impact and Drama Awards
The royal stage for vertical microdrama.
A luxury awards experience built for the new era of storytelling. VIDA celebrates creators, platforms, and performances defining the future of vertical OTT.
Premiere Night Energy
Where vertical stories get red-carpet prestige.
09
Award Categories
4
Ways To Enter
2026
Season Live
The Mission
A vertical video isn't a smaller film. It's a different art form.
VIDA gives vertical creators the same prestige, craft recognition, and cultural spotlight legacy formats have enjoyed for decades.
What counts
Vertical-first, episodic, short. Series built for full-screen mobile viewing — typically 1–10 minute episodes designed to be watched thumb-on-glass.
Why now
Hundreds of millions watch vertical drama daily, yet no award treats it as a craft. VIDA exists to change that — to give the format prestige and its makers a stage.
What's different
Traditional film awards measure runtime and theaters. We measure retention, performance, and impact in the format people actually watch on.
Backed By
Partners powering the vertical era
Studios, platforms, and brands investing in the next premium storytelling format.
The Categories
Nine categories. One luxury stage.
Designed like a couture line-up: each category honors a distinct craft shaping the future of vertical storytelling.
Best Vertical Drama
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Breakout Performance
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Sponsor Partnership
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Romance Series
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Thriller Series
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Comedy Series
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Family Drama
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Best Cinematography (Vertical)
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
Audience Choice
Judged by an independent panel focused on execution, originality, and audience impact in vertical format.
The Path
A premium path to awards night
From entry to final reveal, each stage is designed to spotlight real craft in vertical storytelling.
Ceremony Flow
Four stages. One spotlight.
Every participant, from first-time creators to established studios, follows the same transparent path toward the final stage.
Stage 1
Submit
Creators and studios enter their vertical series across our award categories.
Stage 2
Review
An independent jury evaluates craft, performance, and audience impact.
Stage 3
Nominate
The community champions standout work — fans and peers put forward their favorites.
Stage 4
Awards Night
Winners are celebrated at a live ceremony built for the vertical era.
Media & Press
Media partners, premium access.
Journalists, outlets, and creators covering vertical drama can request credentials, interviews, and backstage access in one streamlined application.
The VIDA press desk curates high-signal coverage across creators, streaming platforms, and culture stories shaping vertical entertainment.
24h
Response window
1:1
Interview matching
Live
Event access
Global
Coverage ready
Step 1
Fill out the form
Share your name, publication, email, and what kind of access you need.
Step 2
We review your request
Our press team qualifies each outlet and follows up within a few business days.
Step 3
Get credentials & access
Approved partners receive press credentials, interview slots, or coverage materials.
Nominations
Nomination lounge: open to everyone.
Anyone can nominate — fans, creators, industry peers. If a vertical series or performer moved you, put them forward for a VIDA.
Why Nominate
Put great work on the main stage.
A strong nomination helps the jury discover standout projects and performances that deserve wider recognition.
Make your case
Nominate a vertical series or creator. Pick the category and tell us why they deserve the spotlight.
Jury & team review
Our independent jury and awards team read every nomination alongside direct series submissions.
Finalists announced
Standout nominees join the shortlist. The strongest work moves toward awards night.
Take Part
Choose your entry lane
Whether you make the work, fund it, cover it, or simply love it — there's a place for you on awards night.