Shorta is not looking to acquire ideas outright. It is looking to collaborate with creators to develop the winning project at the development stage.

The selected project will be developed in close partnership with its creator(s), through creative advisory and mentoring services, drawing on:

The purpose of this mentoring is to guide the creator in refining the proposal and making it technically feasible as a vertical series.

The development process will exclusively include:

Scope clarification: Participation in the competition and the development mentoring do not constitute a contractual offer to purchase, nor do they create any obligation on the part of Shorta or C21Media to contract, finance, co-produce or produce the project.

Rights structures for any potential subsequent commercial exploitation will be discussed in good faith between Shorta and the selected creator(s), based on mutual interest and long-term collaboration, in accordance with the provisions of the “The Prize” section.

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:

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, exclusively as its prize, a creative development advisory and mentoring service provided by Shorta’s editorial team, focused on providing technical and narrative support for the rewriting of the scripts so that the work can be made technically feasible in vertical format by the winner.

SCOPE AND TERMS OF THE PRIZE

• 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.

Applicants understand that neither C21Media nor Shorta will produce or exhibit the series, except under a subsequent agreement entered into independently of the competition.

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 and Shorta to use submitted project information, images, videos, synopses and interview material for editorial, promotional and institutional 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.

Confidentiality and Independent Development

Submissions will be seen only by the C21Media pitch team, Shorta and the judges.Participants acknowledge and accept that the receipt of submissions does not create any fiduciary deposit or relationship. Shorta constantly develop and evaluate multiple vertical fiction content and projects. Accordingly, Shorta reserves the unrestricted right to independently develop, produce, license and exhibit any project, idea, concept or format, without this giving rise to any liability or to any right to indemnification or compensation in favour of the participants

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to Shorta’s performance or obligations in this competition shall be governed by the laws of the Argentine Republic and submitted to the jurisdiction of the Ordinary Commercial Courts (Tribunales Ordinarios en lo Comercial) of the City of Buenos Aires. All other aspects of the competition, including C21Media’s role and obligations, are governed by the laws of England and Wales.