Name: Chinas ‘micro dramas’: Demand growing for short-form smartphone content
Uploaded: 2026-01-02T15:08:12.582Z
Duration: 2 min 28 s
Description: Chinese filmmakers are reinventing TV shows for social media users.

Chinese filmmakers are reinventing TV shows for social media users.

Beijing

Micro-dramas, also known as verticals, are short-form series created specifically for smartphone viewing, with episodes typically lasting about one minute. In the past year, these productions generated nearly $7 billion in revenue, surpassing China's box office, and have seen significant international growth, with 60% of revenue coming from the United States.

The format allows for rapid production and lower costs, providing opportunities for young filmmakers and aspiring actors. While critics point to melodramatic acting and repetitive storylines, supporters highlight the industry's profitability and evolving quality. Experts suggest that while micro-dramas are unlikely to replace traditional television or cinema, they offer more options for audiences with limited time.

China's ‘micro dramas’: Demand growing for short-form smartphone content

Smartphones have transformed the way we communicate, work, and keep ourselves entertained. And now, they've spawned a new form of filmmaking. Welcome to the world of micro-dramas, also known as verticals. These are series designed to be watched only on smartphones, with episodes lasting about one minute each. Last year, they generated almost $7 billion, outpacing China's box office. And audiences are growing abroad. 60% of revenue comes from the U.S. Anina Nett has acted in about 50 micro-dramas, shot mostly in China. So within a minute and a half, you have an entire episodic arc, a beginning, a hook, a middle, the story, and then a call to action. And the call to action would be, what's going to happen next? Once viewers are hooked, they're asked to pay for more episodes. Compared to television shows, they're fast to make. Entire series can be shot in days. This studio caters to the growing number of production companies focusing on the format. Nowadays, people are busy and spending less time at home. Relaxation is fragmented. One or two minutes here or there, five minutes on the toilet maybe. Micro-dramas satisfy emotional needs in this short time. They're also cheap to make. The small size of the screen means sets don't need to be detailed. It's given young filmmakers a chance to get a start in the industry, like 17-year-old Ru Mengting. There are many people who like acting very much, but so few opportunities. Micro-dramas give ordinary people like me the opportunity to act. But it's not for everyone. Critics bemoan the melodramatic acting and repetitive storylines. China defends the industry and says it's ultimately data-driven and the quality is improving as audiences grow. They don't understand the power of really mobile technology and what is actually happening in terms of profit, in terms of investors getting their money back fast, in terms of actors having work. So are micro-dramas going to replace traditional television or cinema? Experts say it's unlikely. But audiences now have more options, especially those short on time.

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