Shorta is looking to collaborate with creators to develop the winning project, rather than acquire ideas outright. The selected creator will work closely with Shorta’s creative team to develop the concept into a vertical series, with creative mentorship and ongoing guidance throughout the development of the complete series scripts. The process will include a first-look meeting with Shorta’s executives, who will consider the project for the platform’s future development slate. Any decision to move into production will be made separately, in line with Shorta’s standard evaluation process.

The selected project will be developed in close partnership with its creator(s), drawing on:

• Shorta’s expertise in vertical and mobile-first storytelling
• Creative and editorial development expertise
• Insight into the fast-growing microdrama and vertical content market
• International market insight
• Shorta’s industry and distribution relationships
  
  

The development process may include:

• Refinement of the story and episodic structure
• Development of characters and narrative arcs
• Positioning for the vertical/mobile-first audience
• Development of creative and pitch materials
• Preparation for potential production, platform and international partnership opportunities
  
  

Rights structures will be discussed in good faith between Shorta and the selected creator(s), based on mutual interest and long-term collaboration.

Mobile-first stories with global potential.

We are looking for original projects conceived specifically for vertical viewing, from compelling microdramas and scripted series to innovative new forms of mobile-first storytelling.

Projects should demonstrate a strong creative proposition, a clear understanding of the vertical format and the potential to engage audiences through short-form, episodic storytelling.

The strongest proposals will combine a compelling story and characters with a clear understanding of how the project can work as a vertical series and travel to audiences beyond their home market.

Projects should:

• Be submitted by an established production company, producer or creator.
• Be conceived specifically for vertical/mobile-first viewing.
• Have a strong and distinctive creative proposition, with a clear sense of audience and international potential.
• Be at a stage where the project is seeking development, financing, production, platform or other strategic partners.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the creative opportunities offered by vertical storytelling.
• Include a clear description of the project’s core story and characters.
• Include the proposed number of episodes and, where relevant, approximate episode length.
• Specify the project’s genre and key themes.
• Include relevant development materials where available, such as a pitch deck, treatment, sizzle, teaser, visual references or sample episodes.
• Be largely unseen in the international market and not have been previously selected for another C21 market within six months of Content Americas.
• Be available for a live pitch in person at Content Americas.
• Entrants may submit up to two projects.

Projects can span a broad range of genres and themes, but should have a clear reason for existing in the vertical space.

We are particularly interested in projects that:

• Have a strong opening hook and the ability to capture attention quickly.
• Feature compelling characters and relationships that can drive an episodic story.
• Are designed to encourage continued viewing and episode-to-episode engagement.
• Make creative use of the vertical screen and mobile viewing environment.
• Have the potential to connect with audiences across multiple territories.
• Bring a fresh perspective to the rapidly developing microdrama and vertical content market.

• Please CLICK HERE to register and enter your project.

• The Content Americas Vertical Pitch Competition is open for entries between October 13 and November 23, 23:59 GMT.

The winning project will receive creative mentorship and ongoing guidance from Shorta throughout script development, alongside a first-look meeting with the platform’s executives for consideration on its future development slate. The opportunity offers the creator a chance to work with a company at the forefront of the fast-growing vertical content market. Any decision to move into production will be made separately, in line with Shorta’s standard evaluation process.

• A select number of finalists will be chosen from the submissions and invited to pitch their projects live at Content Americas in Miami on January 19, 2027.

• Finalists will pitch in front of a panel of judges drawn from the international content industry, as well as Content Americas delegates.

• Finalists may pitch in English or Spanish

• The live pitch will provide an opportunity for creators to put their projects directly in front of the people shaping the next generation of mobile-first entertainment.

C21Media reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• Determine the eligibility of entries and exclude any entry that does not meet the relevant competition criteria or submission deadline.
• Select the competition finalists.
• Amend the competition timetable, eligibility criteria or judging arrangements where circumstances require.
• Not select a winner if, in its reasonable judgement, no submission meets the required standard.

By entering the competition, each applicant confirms that:

• All information provided in their application is complete and accurate.
• The project submitted is their original work, or that they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions from the relevant rights holders to enter the competition.
• They are free to enter into a development partnership in relation to the project.

Applicants may submit up to two projects.

Projects must be original and controlled by the submitting party and must not have been previously selected for a market pitch event.

The applicant is responsible for the legitimacy and accuracy of all information contained in their submission, together with any associated intellectual property or copyright issues.

C21Media and Shorta assume no liability for issues arising from projects submitted through the C21 Pitch Competition.

The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Selected finalists must:

• Attend and pitch live in person at Content Americas in Miami on 19 January 2027.
• Hold a valid pass for Content Americas. Confirmed finalists may purchase a pass at the discounted VIP rate of $499.
• Provide all presentation, video and supporting materials requested by C21Media by the specified deadlines.
• Be available for reasonable promotional activity relating to the Vertical Pitch Competition and Content Americas.
• Permit C21Media to use submitted project information, images, videos and interview material for editorial and promotional purposes connected with the competition and Content Americas.

Finalists will be promoted across C21Media’s editorial, digital and event channels and may be featured in Content Americas publications and promotional materials.