Any conversation about the future of the entertainment industry in 2026 and beyond has to include microdramas. You’ve probably heard of the massive growth potential that many see in the emerging format — scripted shows designed to be viewed vertically in very short, bite-sized episodes — but nobody has produced a more successful example than “Screen Time.”
Directed by Kristen Brancaccio and produced by Issa Rae‘s HOORAE Media, the thriller consists of 57 episodes, each ranging from 1-2 minutes. It’s been viewed by more than 300 million people around the world on TikTok and PineDrama. The cultural phenomenon is proof of both the audience demand for microdramas and the success that traditional Hollywood players can find in the format.
Attendees at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit on October 17 will get an inside look at the success of “Screen Time” and the state of the microdrama industry. Two of HOORAE’s leaders who spearheaded the project, Head of Digital Dzifa Yador and VP of Development and Production Jax Clark, will sit down with IndieWire for “The Future of Microdrama: A Case Study of ‘Screen Time,’” a panel designed to explain the business and storytelling principles that can turn a microdrama into a success.
IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit will take place at Penske Media’s headquarters at Lumen West LA on Saturday, October 17. The all-day event will feature a wide-range of panels and networking opportunities centered around the ideas, people, technology, and skills that shape storytelling today. Other programming highlights include:
More panels will be announced over the coming weeks.
