VERZA TV backs inaugural ALZA Festival in New York

VERZA TV served as opening night party co-sponsor of the first ALZA Festival, a New York City event focused on microdramas and vertical storytelling. The three-day festival featured 35 world premieres, industry conversations and awards recognizing creators working for the vertical screen.

Why it matters: - The ALZA Festival gave microdramas and vertical series a dedicated New York City platform at a time when mobile-first viewing continues to shape entertainment habits. - VERZA TV’s sponsorship aligns the streaming platform with creators and studios building for the vertical screen. - The festival’s award slate and industry support signal growing recognition for vertical storytelling as a distinct format.

What happened: - VERZA TV served as Opening Night Party Co-Sponsor of the inaugural ALZA Festival. - The festival took place October 16-18, 2026, at AMC 19th Street East 6 in New York City. - ALZA billed itself as New York City’s inaugural festival dedicated to microdramas and vertical storytelling. - The event brought together creators, filmmakers, industry leaders, brands and audiences for three days of premieres, screenings and conversations. - The festival featured 35 world premieres. - The New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment served as Founding Industry Partner. - ALZA and MOME presented the Made in NY Award to Bronx filmmaker Romel Rodriguez for "The Super NYC."

The details: - ALZA recognized the following winners: Best Vertical Series, "RelationShiTs," directed by Carlos Cardona and Lacy Marie Meyer. - Best Vertical Short went to "Voicemails From My Neighbor," directed by Sydni Beaudoin. - Best Director went to Salvador Paskowitz for "Layover." - Best Performance went to Gregory Alan Williams for "NOTED: Table For Two - A Vertical Series Anthology." - Innovation in Vertical Storytelling went to Jan Latto and Hannah Rose Doherty for "Newborn." - The One More Episode Award went to "The Count," created by Gary Entin and Edmund Entin. - VERZA TV CEO Alan Mruvka said vertical storytelling is where the next generation of audiences already lives. - Mruvka said ALZA gave the format the mainstage it deserves. - ALZA founder Pete Torres said the festival was created to give vertical storytellers a place to be seen, celebrated and connected with an industry exploring the format. - Torres Live founder Pete Torres, former COO of Tribeca Enterprises, and founding partners Rita Vinnik and Katie Korfhage produced the festival.

Between the lines: - VERZA TV is using the festival circuit to position itself as a home for creators working in short-form, mobile-first video. - ALZA’s awards and industry partnerships suggest the vertical format is moving from niche experimentation toward a more organized ecosystem. - The festival’s location and programming point to an effort to give vertical content the same kind of cultural visibility long associated with traditional film festivals.

What's next: - VERZA TV said it looks forward to continuing work with the ALZA Festival community. - VERZA TV also said it plans to welcome festival creators and audiences to the platform. - ALZA’s debut establishes a baseline for future editions built around premieres, screenings and creator-focused programming.

The bottom line: - VERZA TV used ALZA’s inaugural run to deepen its stake in the emerging vertical storytelling market while the festival gave the format a visible New York launchpad.