Industry

COL Group, VIRTUE Asia and V47 Entertainment have announced Inside Microdramas, billed as the world’s first upfront event dedicated to microdramas and the wider vertical entertainment economy. Unveiled at the ContentAsia Summit in Bangkok, the event will take place in Singapore on October 27, 2026, bringing together senior executives from entertainment, advertising, technology, platforms and consumer brands for a first look at the next generation of mobile-first entertainment.

The event will focus on the rapid evolution of microdramas, which have grown from a niche short-form format into a global entertainment phenomenon, while examining the broader shift towards vertical entertainment. According to the organisers, microdramas are only the beginning of a much wider category that encompasses scripted series, reality, factual entertainment, creator-led formats, interactive storytelling, commerce and branded IP, all designed around the way audiences increasingly discover and consume entertainment on mobile screens.
“Microdramas are not the entire story. They are the first signal of a much bigger shift in how entertainment is created, distributed, funded and consumed,” said Timothy Oh, General Manager, International, at COL Group. “Inside Microdramas is designed to move the conversation beyond the format itself and explore the wider vertical entertainment economy emerging around it. It will also give brands the opportunity to participate much earlier, not simply as advertisers, but as partners in building the next generation of entertainment IP.”

Under the theme Inside the Business, Culture and Future of Entertainment’s Fastest-Growing Format, the event will combine industry insights, brand perspectives, cross-industry discussions, project previews and one-to-one partnership sessions.

A key element of the event will be First Look: The 2027 Slate, an exclusive preview of COL Group’s and V47 Entertainment’s upcoming slate of creator-led IP and original vertical entertainment concepts. Approximately 10 projects will be presented as early-stage development and production opportunities for brand partners, allowing companies to engage with projects before they are fully financed or produced.