Against the backdrop of Yantai’s coastal skyline, the city played host to a new chapter in digital storytelling. China Media Group (CMG) rolled out the inaugural China Short-Form Vertical Drama Awards, marking the first national celebration of this emerging content format.
Co-hosted by CMG’s Yangshipin platform, CMG Film, Drama and Documentary Programming Center, and the Yantai municipal government, the ceremony highlighted the Chinese mainland’s booming short-form vertical drama industry. Creators from across the region gathered to showcase works that blend cinematic vision with the bite-sized appeal of vertical video.
Vertical dramas, optimized for mobile screens, are reshaping how Gen Z and millennial audiences consume narratives. The awards featured categories such as Best Storyboard Innovation and Most Engaging Drama, honoring projects that push creative boundaries within 2 to 10-minute episodes.
For entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts, this event signals expanding opportunities in content creation and distribution. Thought leaders and changemakers took the stage to discuss cross-region collaborations and the role of storytelling in advancing cultural exchange.
As Yantai cements its place on the creative map, the CMG awards are poised to become a barometer for digital media trends. For travelers and digital nomads, the coastal city now offers a blend of scenic inspiration and media innovation along the Yellow Sea coast.
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Inaugural CMG China Short-Form Vertical Drama Awards held in Yantai
cgtn.com
