EXCLUSIVE: In a significant move to redefine the vertical video landscape, Singapore-based FlareFlow and Europe’s Shorts have entered a groundbreaking partnership to co-produce a four-strong slate of microdramas. The collaboration marks a bold step forward for both companies, as they seek to break away from traditional storytelling formulas and explore new, innovative genres.

According to a statement from Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL Group and Chief Marketing Officer of FlareFlow, the partnership reflects a shared ambition to push the boundaries of vertical entertainment. ‘Vertical drama is entering a new phase, and we believe there is a real opportunity to broaden both the stories being told and the audiences the format can reach,’ he said.

The four-title microdrama slate will delve into fantasy-led, action, supernatural, and revenge-themed storytelling, offering a fresh take on the traditional vertical video format. By combining heightened genre concepts with richer world-building, the series aims to captivate audiences and redefine the landscape of microdrama.

AJ Letterel, Product Manager and Executive Producer at Shorts’ parent company Luni, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, ‘Shorts is thrilled to partner with FlareFlow on a shared conviction: Vertical microdrama is not a smaller version of an older format, but a form entirely its own. When treated with ambition and respect, it has the potential to unlock storytelling we’ve only begun to explore.’

The collaboration marks Shorts’ first multi-project co-production partnership of its kind, with several original productions together within one coordinated slate. This move signals a significant expansion of Shorts’ portfolio beyond romance, into new genres, bigger stories, and deeper worlds.

The partnership is set to roll out weekly from this Friday (August 21) on FlareFlow, with the four-title microdrama slate showcasing the best of vertical storytelling. As the vertical video economy continues to grow, this partnership is poised to make a significant impact on the industry, offering a fresh perspective on the future of entertainment.