Deadline - by Jesse Whittock - EXCLUSIVE: French microdrama platform Shorts has teamed with L.A.’s Fumero Films for 40 vertical video projects for 2026.
Fumero’s bosses, Adriana Santos and Alejandro Fumero, claim the deal is one of the largest ever international slate orders in the emerging microdrama industry to date.
Shorts is one of several microdrama platforms emerging across Europe, as the medium continues to build. The app’s creative partnership with Fumero is being billed as “landmark, with Shorts exec Sylvain Daressy saying: “What Alejandro and Adriana have built at Fumero Films is extraordinary, but even more powerful is what we’ve built together.
“Their precision, creativity, and cultural authenticity elevate the vertical format in a way that resonates worldwide. Collaborating with a Latino-led studio of this caliber sets a new global standard for short-form storytelling.”
Microdrama episodes tend to run for between 60 and 90 seconds, and follow melodramatic themes in genres such as romance, sci-fi and thriller. Top apps include ReelShorts, Dramabox, Goodshort and Candyjar, with the earliest ones originating from China and Korea.
Shorts and Fumero have been working together over the past year on their slate, which they say has helped to develop “narrative rhythm,” refine production speed, and elevate “the emotional intensity that defines modern microdramas.”
Read Full Story: @deadline
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#Shorts #FumeroFilms #AlejandroFumeroGil #AdrianaSantos #VerticalFilms
We’re beyond thrilled to be part of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards ✨
A huge thank you to Jen @verticaldramalove for the invitation—we’re so grateful to celebrate this moment alongside such an incredible community.
We feel especially grateful with @app.shorts and honored to share Best Comedy of the Year and Best Script, we are deeply thankful for the recognition.
Big congratulations to @ira_always_ira for directing Oops I Marrage my enemy, and to @jeffmoldovanov and @r.a.zilberg for winning Best Script for Office Enemies 👏 @noahfearnleyy for best comedy actor , @ashleymichellegrant best comedy actress , @sarahmoliski for best **🐴🐴**, It has been a pleasure working alongside each of you in this journey.
Cheers Shorts and Jen
Deadline (January 21, 2026) by Max Goldbart & Jesse Whittock - What started out as as trend in Asia has spread in a big way to Europe, the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Microdramas became all the rave last year and the global market is expected to make billions of dollars from the medium for years to come – estimates predict annual revenues will come in at between $20B to $30B by 2030. Late last year, the likes of Fox, Cineverse and Access Entertainment began investing in the space, and we’ve been tracking a bunch of nascent vertical video apps and creators from across the globe that could become household names over the coming year. Scroll down for the new wave.
Shorts: From France to the U.S.
Country: France
Big projects: Oops I Married My Enemy, Destined For My Billionaire Soulmate
Model: Weekly subscription, in-app purchases, advertising
Part of the evolution of French microdrama business Shorts can be traced back to the set of a Darren Aronofsky picture 10 years ago when A.J. Letterel met Alejandro Fumero when they were both working as extras. The pair clicked and stayed in touch, with Letterel later moving to Europe and Fumero staying in the States and becoming a Hollywood producer.
When Letterel contacted Fumero in mid-2024, it wasn’t about acting, but an opportunity to team up and make vertical video originals for Shorts, a France-based microdrama app aimed at the U.S. market.
Letterel, now Head Creative Producer, and Sylvain Daressy, Product Manager at the app’s parent, Luni, needed a production partner after their research on microdramas in the U.S. and China gave them the distinct feeling a formalized production approach was the way to go.
“We are a mobile company, so we felt confident we could bring something of quality to the space, but in terms of production and the timelines, it felt like the Wild West – it still does,” says Letterel.
Read full story: adline.com
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#FumeroFilms #Shorts #AdrianaSantos #AlejandroFumero #VerticalFilms
AP - The rise of vertical film—microdramas designed exclusively for smartphone viewing—continues to redefine the global entertainment landscape.
“This milestone belongs to our community as much as it belongs to us. Our collaboration with Shorts has shown what happens when diverse perspectives and strong creative alignment come together.”— Producer Adriana Santos, Fumero Films
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 / — In a landmark moment for global entertainment, Fumero Films, the award-winning production company led by Adriana Santos and Alejandro Fumero, has announced a transformative alliance with France-based platform Shorts to produce over 40 vertical film projects scheduled for release in 2026.
This historic collaboration marks one of the largest international slates ever announced in the vertical film industry and establishes Fumero Films as the first Latino-led studio to secure a partnership of this scale.
For the rapidly expanding world of microdramas and mobile-first cinema, the alliance signals a seismic shift in representation, innovation, and creative leadership.
The rise of vertical film—microdramas designed exclusively for smartphone viewing—continues to redefine the global entertainment landscape. But the evolution of the format has been driven not by one company alone, but through a deep, ongoing collaboration between Fumero Films and Shorts.
Shorts is one of the first European platforms to champion vertical storytelling, steadily expanding its presence across Europe thanks to a unique production workflow and a culture of creative partnership established jointly with Fumero Films.
Over the past year, both companies have worked side by side—developing stories, experimenting with narrative rhythm, refining production speed, and elevating the emotional intensity that defines modern microdramas.
Read Full Story: @apnews
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#FumeroFilms #AlejandroFumero #AdrianaSantos #VerticalFilms EspadaPR
Wrapping 2025 🎬✨
• Surrender To My Ex’s Dad 🔥
• The Virgin & The Professor 😳📚
• The True Heiress 👑
• Perfect Revenge 😈💄
• Office Enemies 💼⚡️
• Marry Me By Christmas 🎄💍
Each one brought something unique and connected us with incredible collaborators—writers, directors, and talent we’re so grateful for 🤍
We can’t wait for what’s coming next and to bring you lottttt more amazing stories in 2026 ;)))) 🚀
Huge thanks to @app.shorts for believing in these stories and supporting the journey from page to screen 🎥✨
Here’s to the continued expansion of the vertical space—led by #FumeroFilms & #Shorts 💫
#FumeroFilms #AlejandroFumero #AdrianaSantos #Producer #BouncingInto2026
🎄❤️ Merry Christmas, fam! ❤️🎄
Hope today you’re surrounded by love, laughter, good food… and maybe a little chaos 😌✨
Still smiling from our Christmas Posada and feeling beyond grateful for our people — talent ✨ crew 🎥 directors 🎬 friends & family 🤍
Behind every project, every shoot, and every wild schedule is what really matters: people. Amazing talent ✨ passionate crews 🎥 visionary directors 🎬 and nonstop love and support.
To those who made it — thank you for showing up.
To those who couldn’t — you were absolutely felt 🤍
We don’t take a single moment, project, or person for granted.
Sending love to all of you this Christmas 🎄✨
Grateful and inspired to have joined the inaugural SESSIONS @casanohostudios on the Vertical Film Revolution panel.
A huge thank you to award-winning Director and Producer Ben DeJesus @bendejesus1 , Actress Sandy Hernandez @sandyhernandezcross and Casa NoHo Studios for the invitation and for helping pioneer bold storytelling and the new Hollywood. The best is yet to come! 🎬✨
#VerticalFilmRevolution #FumeroFilms #BenDeJesus #CasaNoHo #FilmPanels #IndieFilm #DirectorLife #ProducerLife #CinemaInnovation #FilmCommunity #Storytelling #Gratitude #NewHorizons
✨ A huge #tb to the incredible Shorts App team and all the talent and crew who brought these vertical stories to life. Shooting these films was a blast—and your support kept us inspired every step of the way. ✨
🎬 Destined For My Billionaire Soulmate — starring Mariah Moss and Jeff Violette. A rom-com with a magical touch 🦄
🎬 Breaking My Boss PB — with Meg Bush and Sam Nejad. Rom-com energy with an amazing cast 🫶🏻
🎬 Never Cheat On a Hidden Heiress — starring Noemi Van Slyke, Kasey Esser, Aaron Russell, Skyla Lynne, and a special appearance by JC Ann. Our first time co-producing directly with talent—an incredible experience with Kasey and team 💪🏻💪🏻
🎬 How To Fake True Love — with Rebecca Stoughton, Aaron Russell, and Nick Ritacco. Fully embracing the rom-com era for Shorts App
🎬 My Knockout Fake Husband — with Sarah Moliski, Tyler Scherer, Nick Checket, and Lauren Jude Rosa. A unique mix of sports and politics—challenging, unforgettable, and so worth it.
Shoutout to Shorts App for believing in us, championing new talent, and continuing to push the boundaries of vertical storytelling.
Grateful. Collaborating. Onward. ✨
#FumeroFilms #ShortsApp #VerticalFilm #BehindTheScenes #Gratitude #Filmmaking #IndieFilm #adrianasantos #AlejandroFumero
✨ So grateful to share five more Shorts App projects that marked a real turning point for us at Fumero Films. Each one was an incredible experience we’ll always carry with us.
🎬 “Revenge of the Billionaire’s Maid” — starring Mariah Moss and Sam Myerson. A bold mix of power, Mafia energy, and pure revenge.
🎬 “Serving My Enemy Alpha” — with Tiffany Alvord, Kassey Esser, Mark Pontarelli & Rebecca Berg .Fire, tension, chemistry… and our first werewolf experience in the vertical space 🐺✨
🎬 “Oops, I Married My Enemy” — starring Ashley Michelle Grant, Noah Fearnley, and Michael Vaccaro. A heartfelt rom-com that brought us awards, recognition, and unforgettable memories with our amazing team and talent.
🎬 “Dear Stranger, I Love You” — starring Daniela Couso and Evan Adams. A tender, unexpected connection that crosses boundaries. Our first Young Adult story and a script we adore. Total 90’s vibes.
🎬 “Scoring My Sexy Coach” — starring Molly Anderson, Sam Myerson, and Jessica Jacoby. Heat, humor, and high-stakes drama. Our first sports drama! Really challenging and fun 🫶🏻
This chapter opened the door to incredible new directors, collaborators, and stories. We’re so grateful for every step.
Grateful. Inspired. And just getting started. ✨
#FumeroFilms #ShortsApp #VerticalFilms #Gratitude #Filmmaking #NewBeginnings #adrianasantos #AlejandroFumero
✨ The next five projects we produced with Shorts App mark a whole new chapter for our creative journey. We understood the vertical space even more, vibed with the format, and collaborated with incredible talent.
🎬 Adri and Ale directed their first vertical film, “Escaping My Ex-Husband,” with Kyra Wisely and Aaron Russell.
🔥 We hit our first #1 on the app with “Engaged to the Secret Billionaire.” Sam Myerson, JC Anne, and Aaron Russell delivered his first antagonist role.💘
✨ We created with Shorts our very first vertical series — “The Love Switch: CEO vs. Mafia King” — with Kasey Esser, Jarred Harper, and Molly Anderson. Still one of our favorite ones thanks to Shorts app.
🏆 Also the award-winning series “The Billionaire Matchmaker” with Kirby Elwood, Jeff Violette and Mark Pontarelli.
🔥And “Adopted my Stolen Baby” with Alexa Reddy, Eric Guilmette and Brad Schatz.
This stage opened the door to amazing new directors like Danny Farber, Casey Jackson, and Sarang Sharma.
Grateful. Inspired. Just getting started. ✨
#ShortsApp #VerticalFilms #Filmmaking #FumeroFilms #AlejandroFumero #AdrianaSantos
