The Vertical Drama Love Awards are independently organised by Jen of Vertical Drama Love to celebrate the creativity, talent, and joy found in the world of vertical dramas. These awards aim to recognise the growing impact of vertical storytelling and the artists helping to shape this fast-evolving format.
Open to English-language vertical dramas released in 2025, the awards shine a light on standout performances, writing, and production within the industry.
The 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards are proudly sponsored by The Vertical Buzz Podcast
THE VERTICAL BUZZ is the first PREMIUM podcast dedicated exclusively to the world of vertical short-form films. Each week, host Buzz Leer, a Vertical Film Actor, completing 35 Films to date, brings listeners insider conversations, industry insights, platform trends, and the untold stories shaping the evolution of vertical filmmaking. Whether you’re a creator, a filmmaker, an actor, or simply someone fascinated by the next frontier of entertainment, THE VERTICAL BUZZ delivers an unfiltered, informed, and entertaining look at the vertical revolution.
THE VERTICAL BUZZ is available on all major podcast platforms.
The 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards
Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards Shortlist - 2025
Please find below the complete list of nominations, compiled from over 5000 nominations from over 100 countries all around the world. This is what you voted for.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED
Results will be announced at the Award Ceremony on Thursday 23rd April, 2026
ACTING AWARDS
Lead Actress in a Drama kindly sponsored by Leah Batelli @leahlittleboat
Cayla Brady - Penny in To My Romeo With Love, Reelshort
Emily Gately - Amelia in The Encore Of Us, Stardust
Mariah Moss - Lily in Queen Of The Court, Reelshort
Nicole Mattox - Nicole in Queen Never Cry, Reelshort
Tess Dinerstein - Harper in Taming My Silver Fox, Reelshort
Lead Actor in a Drama kindly sponsored by a member of #TeamEric
Cayman Cardiff - Nathaniel in The Cost Of Touch, Dramapops
Eric Guilmette - Troy in How We Measure Guilt In Bed, Dreameshort
Jesse Morales - Chris in How To Tame A Silver Fox, Reelshort
Marc Herrman - Jack in Love Is A Dangerous Dance, Reelshort
Nick Ritacco - Anthony in Love Always Finds A Way, Stardust
Lead Actress in a Comedy kindly sponsored by Conny Achauer
Ashley Michelle Grant - Victoria in Oops I Married My Enemy, Shorts
Autumn Noel - Piper in Baby Please Don't Come Home, Dramapops
Grace Swanson - Sofia in 30 Days To Love, Tastelife
Kirby Ellwood - Corinne in Cohabiting Lovers, Reelshort
Rebecca Stoughton - Riley in Office Enemies, Shorts
Lead Actor in a Comedy kindly sponsored by Stacia Lyons @Stosh44
Jackson Tiller - Michaelangelo in MatriMoney, Vigloo
Mark Vega - Silas in The Mafia Boss Becomes My Secret Pet, Dreameshort
Noah Fearnley - Owen in Office Enemies, Shorts
Sam Myerson - Luca in Falling In Love By A Mistaken Vow, Netshort
Seth Edeen - Killian in The CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back, Reelshort
Best Performance by a Child Actress kindly sponsored by Tova Martin
April Korovichenko - Charity in The CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back, Reelshort
Charing Draper - Ellie in In Love With A Single Farmer Daddy, Reelshort
Elin Bautista - Cecilia in Falling For A Superstar 2, Alta
Kseniya Kareba - Sam in Move To The Countryside! Marry A Billionaire!, Dramabox
Scarlett Shields - Emma in How We Measure Guilt In Bed, Dreameshort
Best Performance by a Child Actor kindly sponsored by C. Armstrong
Gordon Mudd - Single Mom By Mistake, CEO Wife By Fate, Dreameshort
Hawk Bennett - Simon in Mafia King's Missing Wife Back With Twins, Dreameshort
Leo Reynolds - Patrick in Love On The Sidelines, Dramabox
Logan Hannigan - Chance in The CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back, Reelshort
Wesley Steinkuhl - Luka in You Drive Me Crazy, Reelshort
Villainess of the Year kindly sponsored by @mbloislane
Brooke Moltrum - Madeline in How To Dump A Hockey Star, Reelshort
Molly Anderson - Amanda in Falling For A Superstar 2, Alta
Sarah Jayne Rothkopf - Mia in The Beggar King Returns, Reelshort
Sarah Moliski - Selina in Operation Christmas Trap, Reelshort
Vanessa Von Schwarz - Lexi in Cheer Queen Returns To Slay, Dramabox
Villain of the Year kindly sponsored by Ilaria Bertolini Belloni, @ivl_italian.vertical.lover
Aaron Oberst - Damien in Her Double, His Trouble, Reelshort
Felix Merback - Lafayette in Game Of Choice, Tallflix
Jeff Violette - Mafia Housewife, StoReel
Mark Pontarelli - Alpha Langston in Serving My Enemy Alpha, Shorts
Neven Tomic - Shh, We Are A Secret, Dramabox
Matriarch of the Year kindly sponsored by Claire
Camille Carida - Grace in Single Mom By Mistake, CEO Wife By Fate, Dreameshort
Carin Smolinski - Mr Governor, Let Go Of Our Baby, Dreameshort
Elyse Mirto -Bye Mr Ex, Your Commander Is Calling, Dreameshort
Monique Parent - Helena in Mancini's Forbidden Bride, Reelshort
Thresa Richardson - Grace in 30 Days To Love, Tastelife
Patriarch of the Year kindly sponsored by Donna Fry @didigreyhound
Corbin Timbrook - Charles in Daddy Don't Go, Please Save Mommy, Reelshort
John Henry Richardson - Romulus in Matrimoney, Vigloo
Rib Hillis - Sebastian in The Road Between Us, Gammatime
Sean McHugh - The Billionaire Mrs Surrogate, Shortmax
Thomas Garner - John in CEO Wants My Little Rascal, Netshort
Supporting Actress kindly sponsored by Sandra Nascimento
Bar Daniels - Hazel in Taming My Bullies, Reelshort
Dominique Rose - Lauren in Uncle Richard Is My Baby Daddy, Goodshort
Dorothy Mannine - Rose in 17 Heartbreaks When Love Has No Voice, Playlet
Lawson Greyson - Autumn in Campus Rivals, Vigloo
Mary Foster - Liz in Not All About You, Candyjar
Supporting Actor kindly sponsored by Trish Bell @trishyb44
Adam Chisnall - Mark in I Kissed A CEO And He Liked It, Dramabox
Declan Clifford - Alex in Unwanted True Mate, Dramabox
Fabian Arnold - Henry in I Slept With My 3 Werewolf Stepsons, Tallflix
Jordan Dyck - James in Ugly Cinderella and Her Hobo Billionaire, Flareflow
Michael Vaccaro - Father Fox in Game Of Choice, Tallflix
FAN FAVOURITE AWARDS
On-Screen Couple kindly sponsored by Benie Doctolero @benied & by Vertically Yours, B @verticallyyours
Tess Dinerstein & Jesse Morales - Harper & Chris in How To Tame A Silver Fox, Reelshort
Brooke Moltrum & Nick Ritacco - Amelia & Anthony in Love Always Finds Its Way, Stardust
Ashley Michelle Grant & Noah Fearnley - Victoria & Gavin in Oops! I Married My Enemy, Shorts
Cayla Brady & Chris Quartuccio - Penny & Mason in To My Romeo, With Love, Reelshort
Nicole Mattox & Seth Edeen - Freya & Tristan in Wings Of Fire:The Dragon Slayer Is My Ex-Lover, Reelshort
Ensemble Cast kindly sponsored by Karen Riccio
American Sniper: The Last Round - Reelshort
Campus Rivals - Vigloo
Love & Blood - Reelshort
Office Enemies - Shorts
Trapped In The Boss's Embrace - Reelshort
Comedy Gold Scene kindly sponsored by Conny Achauer
Jessica interrupts Owen's meeting - Sarah Moliski in Office Enemies, Shorts
Cody 's catwalk walk - Jake Hobbs in Hot CEO Trapped Inside My Body, Dreameshort
The bedroom scene when Silas wakes up - Mark Vega & Nicole Mattox in Mafia Boss Becomes My Pet, Dreameshort
Dora walks in on a a naked Chasel and starts screaming “my eyes, my eyes” - Cayla Brady in Fake Dating The Quarterback Next Door, Dramabox
Liz's “is he giving you that vitamin D” line - Mary Foster in Not All About You, Candyjar
Most Swoonworthy Scene kindly sponsored by Vertically Yours, B @verticallyyours & Benie Doctolero @benied
Taxi Scene - Ashley Michelle Grant & Jackson Tiller, Falling For A Superstar, Alta
"Don't Let Them Take Your Spark" line - Coco Taylor & Tristan Alexander, Guarding Her Body, Claiming Her Heart, Reelshort
Grace & Liam Flirting on the radio - Alessia Medina & Ian Schutzman, Love Frequency At 30 000 Feet, Dramabox
Lakeside Kissing Scene - Andrew Tong & Greg Duffy, Prince's First Love, Reelshort
Beatrice & Damian Elevator Scene - Nicole Mattox & Seth Edeen, Trapped In Boss's Embrace, Reelshort
Kick Ass Heroine Of The Year kindly sponsored by Kassie Keegan of Love Planet Publishing
Catherine Blackwood - Samantha Drews in My Sister Is The Warlord Queen, Reelshort
Elle Capone - Haley Lohrli in I'm A Mafia Girl Boss..., Goodshort
Eva Bennett - Jess Jacoby inThe CEO Trap, Dramashorts
Eve - Kelsey Maskell in Game Of Choice, Tallflix
Winter Snow - Luna Seranova in The Cost Of Touch, Dramapops
Growl Of The Year kindly sponsored by Kassie Keegan of Love Planet Publishing
Aidan Gold - Tyler Scherer in Chasing Kiarra, Candyjar
Alexander Blackburn - Eric Guilmette in I Slept With My 3 Werewolf Stepsons, Tallflix
Harrison - Cayman Cardiff in Mated To My Savage Alpha, Dramabox
Mal Haywood - Kiki Frags in The Cursed Alpha's Mate, Reelshort
Wyatt - Griffin Blazi in My Miracle Luna, Dramabox
Most Memorable On-Screen Appearance by a Piece of Food or Drink
Pure chaos. Pure Jen nonsense. The food or drink that somehow became iconic.
The Bagel - Lust Game
The Bacon Roll - Guarding Her Body, Claiming Her Heart
The Cheesecake - Office Enemies
The Cupcakes - Straight Until He Kissed Me
The Lettuce - The Billionaire’s Matchmaker
Fan Creator of the Year kindly sponsored by an anonymous donor
(Vertical Drama Love is not eligible.)
Aline - I Love Verticals
Charm - Charmed By Verticals
Liz - Portrait Story Diaries
Samantha - Noah Fearnley Fan Club
Sanne - Vertical World Girl
PRODUCTION AWARDS
Best Script kindly sponsored by Alexandra Spiteri, @alexandra_ivy_spiteri
Campus Rivals - Adam Santa Cruz, Vigloo
In Other Words I Love You - Baconhill Creative, Dramabox / Kalos
Love & Blood - Citlalli A. Ruiz & D.Mitry, Reelshort
Love Is A Dangerous Dance - Jaclyn Gramigna & Alex Sanchez, Reelshort
Office Enemies - Jeff Moldovanov & Rachel Zilberg, Shorts
Best Costumes, Hair & Makeup kindly sponsored by Mary Sunkes
The Cost Of Touch - Elle Bryant, Courtney Mark & Shayna Reinert, Dramapops
Love & Blood - Pamela Zuniga & Vero G. Rios - Reelshort
Love Is A Dangerous Dance - Caroline Aubrey & Laura Bedwell-Young, Reelshort
Pride & Prejudice - Jenny Anderton & Amelia Mara Kildear, Reelshort
Wings Of Fire: The Dragon Slayer is My Ex Lover - Olivia Jackson & Layla Damian, Reelshort
Best Stunt Sequence
The Water Tank Scene - Game Of Choice, Tallflix
Vincent Jumps Off The Building - How To Kiss A Vampire, Reelshort
3 Way Fight Between Amara, Viktoria & Sophia - Love & Blood, Reelshort | Stunt Co-ordinator: Tawers Torres
The Cafeteria Brawl - Undercover Prison King
Episode 3, taking out the kidnappers - Villains Beware Mommy Punches Hard, Goodshort | Stunt Co-ordinator: Jen Rose
Best Original Song / Score kindly sponsored by @andrea_smile206
99 Charms - Performed by Nicole Mattox, 99 Charms 99 Heartbreaks, Flareflow
Age Gap Song - Written & Performed by Ruban Bogdan - Age Gap, Drama Shorts
Green Eyes - Performed by Shay Dineen & Meg Bush, Keys To My Heart, Shortical
Maybe This Time - Written by Liv Gracefield, Performed by Olivia Fildes & Tommi Krasic, Maybe This Time
Score, The Summer I Turned Bad - Written by Berk Çavdar, The Summer I Turned Bad, Dramapops
Best Cinematography
Campus Rivals - Daniel Farnam, Vigloo
Game Of Choice - Qianyu David Zhang, Reverseclock, Tallflix
Love and Blood - Jonathan Wang, PurpleLight Pictures Reelshort
My Girl - Joseph Lim, Enzyme Films, Candyjar
The Summer I Turned Bad - Ömer Aslan, Palm Film Co, Dramapops
Best Production Design
Dungeons Of Ecstasy - Erli Hanxhari, Full Moon Features, Reelshort
Game Of Choice - Coco Li, Reverseclock, Tallflix
Love and Blood - Linda Naitze Ruiz & Daniel Talavera, PurpleLight Pictures, Reelshort
Pride and Prejudice - Felix Coles, Onset Octopus, Reelshort
Wings Of Fire: The Dragonslayer Is My Ex-Lover - Xiyu Lin, Reelshort
Best Director kindly sponsored by C. Armstrong
Alison Stanton-Cook - Just Jump, Love Drama
Can Ozen - The Summer I Turned Bad, Dramapops
D.Mitry - Love & Blood, Reelshort
Daniel Russell - Ugly Cinderella and Her Hobo Billionaire, Flareflow
Danny Farber - Cheer Up Baby, Dramabox
GENRE AWARDS
Action Thriller of the Year kindly sponsored by Ilaria Bertolini Belloni, @ivl_italian.vertical.lover
American Sniper: The Last Round - Halogen Cinema, Reelshort
Dungeons Of Ecstasy - Full Moon Features, Reelshort
Game Of Choice - Reverse Clock Entertainment, Tallflix
I Am Bloody Mary - Halogen Cinema, Reelshort
My Serial Killer Lover - Cooler Productions, Dramabox
Dramatic Vertical of the Year
After He Died I Went Mad - Dramabox
Her Double, His Trouble - Media DW, Reelshort
How We Measure Guilt In Bed - Dreameshort
I Love You More Than Life - Reelshort
Queen Never Cry - Reelshort
Romantic Comedy of the Year kindly sponsored by Conny Achauer
Fallen In Love By A Mistaken Vow - Loomlight Production Company, Netshort
I Kissed A CEO And He Liked It - Dramabox
Office Enemies - Fumero Films, Shorts
Oops I Married My Enemy - Fumero Films, Shorts
The CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back - The Bove Company, Reelshort
Romantic Drama of the Year kindly sponsored by Mary Sunkes
Falling For A Superstar 2 - Production House 8, Alta
How To Tame A Silver Fox - Reelshort
My Girl - Enzyme Films, Candyjar
Royal Heir Breaks My Heart In A War Zone - Avo Media, Stardust
The Cost Of Touch - Cosmic Film Co, Dramapops
LGBTQIA+ Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by The No Bullsh*t Coach @happierlifecoach
Her Heart, Held Hostage - The Jay & Tony Show, My Drama
Sneak Me Into Your Closet Prince - Mini Nation Pictures, Goodshort
Waterboy - Elastic Heart Productions, Reelshort
Prince's First Love - Reelshort
Straight Until He Kissed Me - Goodshort
Mafia Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by Trish Bell @trishyb44
Bound by Honor - Reelshort
Love Is A Dangerous Dance - Reelshort
Mafia Boss Becomes My Secret Pet - Gingerbread Pictures, Dreameshort
Mafia's Captive Bride - Dramabox
A Sweet Contract With The Mafia Boss - LeaderSheep Pictures, Flex TV
Supernatural Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by Alexandra Spiteri, @alexandra_ivy_spiteri
Bound To The Rebel Wolf - Reelshort
Chasing Kiarra - Candyjar
How To Kiss A Vampire - Reelshort
I Slept With My 3 Werewolf Stepsons - M4M Film Design, Tallflix
Love & Blood - PurpleLight Pictures, Reelshort
Sports Vertical of the Year
Did You Have To Be A Hockey Star? - Candyjar
The Fraternity - Candyjar
Hockey Star's Remorse - Dramabox
Quarterback's First Love - Reelshort
Queen Of The Court - Reelshort
Young Adult Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by Mary Sunkes
Campus Rivals - Vigloo
Coming Of Age - Candyjar
Taming My Bullies - Reelshort
The Summer I Turned Bad - Palm Film Co, Dramapops
To My Romeo, With Love - Reelshort
Seasonal Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by Christy Smith
Fake Dating The Quarterback At Christmas - Dramabox
Marry Me By Christmas - Fumero Films, Shorts
Operation Christmas Trap - Reelshort
Rented A Billionaire Husband For Christmas - Reelshort
This Christmas I Married A Grease Stained Billionaire - Palm Film Co, Dramapops
International Vertical of the Year kindly sponsored by UK Production Company Onset Octopus @onsetoctopus
Verticals produced outside North America, celebrating global creators.
Age Gap - AMO Pictures, Dramashorts
Guarding Her Body, Claiming Her Heart - AMO Pictures, Reelshort
In Other Words I Love You - First Tone Productions, Dramabox/Kalos
Love At Dangerous Speeds - AMO Pictures, Reelshort
The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse - AMO Pictures, Reelshort
Independent Vertical of the Year
Verticals made independently, outside the app system. The full series must have been released in 2025. Instagram and TikTok releases are eligible.
The Disappearance @digitalperformancelab
Drumming On Eggshells @trysuttin
Just Jump @just_jump_series @allystantoncook
Obsessions @obsessionstheseries
Pizza Guys vs Vampires @_flashback.pictures @pizzaguysvs
THE BIG ONES
Vertical Series of the Year
The ultimate award. The winners of the 12 genre categories will go head-to-head, with fans voting for one final winner.
Category winners will be announced 10th March, and voting reopened to decide the overall winner.
App of the Year
Dramabox
Candyjar
Reelshort
Shorts
Vigloo
Rising Star – Female
A breakout talent who quickly became a fan favourite.
Coco Taylor
Erin Orcutt
Gabrielle Faith Brown
Halle Fletcher
Isabella Ward
Jayda Stephens
Lottie Guidi
Madeleine Rocha-Barnette
Sarah Sampino
Savannah Coffee
Rising Star – Male
A breakout talent who quickly became a fan favourite.
Adam Daniel
Buddy Caine
Cameron Porras
Franky Cammarata
Harrison Keen
Joseph Purcell
Kenny Resch
Nick Skonberg
Rhett Wellington
Shayne Davis
Vertical Legend – Female
An actress who defines vertical drama.
Ashley Michelle Grant
Autumn Noel
Cayla Brady
Haley Lohrli
Kirby Ellwood
Kyra Wisely
Mariah Moss
Meg Bush
Nicole Mattox
Sarah Moliski
Vertical Legend – Male
An actor who defines vertical drama.
Eric Guilmette
Felix Merback
Jackson Tiller
Jarred Harper
Jesse Morales
Mark Vega
Nazar Grabar
Nick Ritacco
Noah Fearnley
Seth Edeen
The Awards Process
Nominations
Open Period: Nominations will be open from 1-14 January.
Who Can Nominate? Fans and creatives can submit their nominations for each award category.
How Are Nominations Processed? The organising team will verify nominations for eligibility and compile shortlists based on the number of nominations received.
Eligibility Criteria:
-Only vertical series released in 2025 and in English are eligible.
-Any series released in previous years will be deemed ineligible and removed.
Organising Team: The awards are organised by Jen (Vertical Drama Love). All decisions made by the organising team are final.
Shortlisting & Voting
Shortlist Announcement:
Shortlists will be announced on 6 February.
Voting Period:
Voting will be open from 16–24 February.
Shortlist Format
Each category will have 5 nominees.
Exceptions:
Rising Stars & Legends categories will have 10 nominees each.
Voting System
Awards are decided using a first-past-the-post system, where the nominee with the most votes wins.
To help ensure fair voting, the system includes safeguards such as:
limiting submissions to one vote per person
monitoring email addresses and IP data for duplicate entries
AI-assisted and manual checks for suspicious or automated voting patterns
Votes identified as duplicate, automated, or manipulated may be removed before final results are calculated.
Transparency & Independence
The Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards are fan-powered awards.
Sponsors support the production of the awards ceremony, but have no role in nominations, voting, or determining winners.
All votes are reviewed internally by Vertical Drama Love before final results are confirmed.
As the awards continue to grow, additional third-party verification options may be introduced in future years.
Award Ceremony
The awards ceremony where winners are revealed will be held on:
Thursday 23 March
FAQs
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
Nominations are open to fans and creatives who want to recognize outstanding contributions to vertical series in 2025. You can nominate yourself, colleagues, or your favorites.
Please note: You can only submit one round of nominations, so be sure to think through all your choices before submitting.
Is There an Entry Fee?
No, there is no entry fee to submit a nomination.
If you’d like to support the awards and help cover the running costs, please consider buying a coffee here. Your contribution helps keep this event running smoothly!
Can I Submit Multiple Entries?
No
What Happens After I Submit a Nomination?
Review Process: The organizing team will verify nominations for eligibility.
Shortlisting: Nominations with the most votes will have the best chance of making the final shortlist, which will be announced on 6 February.
Finalist Notification: If you are shortlisted, I will contact you to confirm your acceptance and request images to be used in the final voting setup.
What Information Do I Need to Submit?
Please include as much information as possible for each nomination:
Actor/Actress Name
Character Name
Drama Title
Streaming App or Platform
If a series has multiple titles, don’t worry—we’ll determine the correct one. Don’t panic if you can’t find all of it - the main thing is as much information as possible will really help us (the organizing team) out!
Do have a look on IMDB if you are looking for details, or ask on social media!