Short video platforms like TikTok have changed the streaming landscape, prompting traditional streaming services like Disney+, Peacock, and Netflix to explore short-form video features. This shift raises the question of how indie filmmakers can capitalize on this vertical video trend.
Enter Vurt, a mobile-first vertical streaming platform designed specifically for independent filmmakers to upload their micro series or feature films in a vertical mobile-first format.
The platform announced its launch on Tuesday, with more than 100 episodes of original micro-series, full-length films, and TV shows spanning various genres currently on the platform. There are even films featuring Kevin Hart and Vivica A. Fox. The company says a new original title is released on the platform each week.
As audiences increasingly gravitate toward content tailored for mobile devices, the adaptation of traditional storytelling methods to fit vertical formats feels like a natural progression. Vurt sees its platform as a solution that aligns with this future.
The success of “micro-drama” platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox has proven that there is a sizable market eager for engaging, bite-sized content. This segment has exploded from niche status to a multibillion-dollar industry.
As reported by Appfigures, ReelShort was projected to achieve about $1.2 billion in gross consumer spending in 2025, whereas DramaBox generated $276 million in consumer spending last year. Even TikTok launched its own micro-drama app in January. Vurt also finds itself in direct competition with emerging apps like Watch Club, which features micro-drama stories created by SAG-AFTRA and WGA (Writers Guild of America) actors and writers.
What truly distinguishes Vurt is its approach to content distribution. Unlike traditional streaming services that often involve lengthy distribution processes through aggregators or major companies, Vurt allows creators to submit their content directly. Once approved, filmmakers can upload their projects, making them available to audiences within a 48- to 72-hour timeframe.
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For creators looking to monetize their work, Vurt operates on an AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) model, enabling them to generate revenue through ad placements on their titles. Plus, Vurt offers a non-exclusive licensing agreement with a 50/50 revenue split, providing filmmakers with a fair opportunity to profit from their creations.
The brainchild behind Vurt, Ted Lucas, is the founder of Slip-N-Slide Records, which has sold millions of records for artists like Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, and Plies. The idea for Vurt emerged from Lucas’ experiences while distributing his documentary “Miami Kingpins.” He recognized the distribution challenges facing many filmmakers and wanted to find a solution.
“Not every content creator and filmmaker has the resources and access to overcome these hurdles. I realized that it’s a problem that I could potentially fix,” Lucas told TechCrunch.
Vurt’s founding team brings years of industry experience: Eric Tomosunas, who founded Swirl Films; director and producer Mark A. Samuels; and angel investor Hilmon Sorey. Additionally, Tarik Brooks, a former executive at BET and REVOLT, serves as an advisory figure.
With young viewers primarily consuming content on their mobile devices, it’ll be interesting to see how the vertical format resonates with independent creators and major streaming services alike. Could we one day see full-length vertical shows on Netflix, or original films on TikTok? It’s too soon to predict the future, but the movement toward vertical storytelling is undeniable.
“The way people consume content has already changed, and we’re building something that fits that future,” Lucas said.
Vurt is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play. There’s also a web version that mirrors streaming services but remains dedicated solely to vertical content.
