VERTICAL MICRODRAMA MARKET (VMM) 2026

Eric Guilmette

Actor | Producer | Poet

Eric Guilmette is an American actor, producer and poet based in LA. Eric is most known for his success in the vertical drama space.

He was voted the 2024 Vertical Legend and Best Actor In A Drama in the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards and won the Sapphire Vision Award at the Vertical Awards in September 2025.

Some of his successful vertical series include You Belong With Me on ReelShort, Chosen By Fate on Pocket FM and Campus Rivals on Vigloo. He is one of the producers, actors & creators of the fan favorite vampire series Love & Blood, currently playing on ReelShort that was nominated for 8 separate awards in 2025.

To date, he has led 50 vertical series, several of which he’s produced, through which he has built a very devoted audience and plans to continue producing and acting in many verticals to come. He is also the author of the successful poetry book sex and oatmeal.

Peyton Tucker

Actress

Peyton Tucker is a Los Angeles–based actress and rising star quickly making a name for herself across the entertainment industry.

With many leading roles across the top vertical drama platforms and a growing presence in film and television, Peyton has built a reputation for her captivating performances, natural screen presence, and undeniable ability to connect with audiences.

Her work has reached millions of viewers worldwide, establishing her as one of the industry’s emerging talents to watch as she continues expanding her footprint across film, television, and vertical dramas.

Jeff Violette

Actor

Jeff Violette is an American Actor Based in Los Angeles, best known for his roles in Micro Drama Series.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Jeff graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in Construction Management.

After working as a Project Manager in the Construction Industry for 6 years, he took a leap of faith to push his newfound part time passion for Modeling into his full time career by moving to Los Angeles. Shortly after moving to California, acting opportunities in the form of music videos and commercial projects presented themselves.

Once finding his love for this new medium in front of the camera, he is now known for his success in roles portraying both protagonist and antagonist characters in many popular Vertical Micro Drama Series.

Nick Ritacco

Actor | Athlete

Nick Ritacco is a Chicago-born actor, athlete, and avid baseball fan.

After coming to the conclusion that he probably wouldn't make it as the starting shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, Nick left home and moved to New York City where he received his BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts whilst studying and training at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. After performing in numerous theatrical productions and even launching a Shakespearean theater company, Nick found his way into the TV/Film world with a recurring co-star role on Showtime's "Homeland" and a co-star role on NBC's  "Law and Order: SVU." In order to continue his pursuit of work in the TV/Film industry, Nick packed up what he could carry (including his tabby cat Korra) and moved across the country to Los Angeles, where so far he has found work mainly in the Lifetime Movie Network and Vertical Drama spaces. Although these days Nick finds himself onset quite often (Nick has shot over 45 verticals and counting at this point), he still finds time to watch his beloved White Sox.

Brooke Moltrum

Actress

Brooke Moltrum is an accomplished film and theatre actress based in Los Angeles. Her extensive training propelled her onto a Broadway stage in 2016, where she competed in the Jimmy Nederlander Awards.

Since then, she has built a professional career in theatre, musical theatre, and film. Her most recent work includes starring roles in over 30 vertical films, through which she has cultivated a dedicated, global fan base. Along with her accomplishment Best Actress at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival, she's also been nominated for several awards within the micro drama space and won "Best Onscreen Couple" in 2026 for her performance with Nick Ritacco in "Love Always Finds Its Way". Brooke brings dedication, honesty, and emotional complexity to each role she has the opportunity to play. She is grateful to be supported by her family, friends, fellow artists, and ever growing, incredible fans. For recent credits or inquiries, visit www.brookemoltrum.com Instagram: @brookemoltrum

Felix Merback

Actor | Producer

Felix Merback is an LA based actor, producer, and prominent figurehead of the vertical micro-drama movement.

Felix pivoted quickly into the world of film/television in Los Angeles after graduating a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar from the Indiana University Theatre and Drama School in 2020. After a whirlwind of industry change post-COVID and a slate of highly-touted performances in festival darlings such as the features "Blood Star" and shorts "The Rut" and "Froggy," Felix found himself deep in the blossoming world of Microdramas, propelling him into vertical stardom, with viral hits such as: "The Summer I Turned Bad," "Game of Choice," "Billionaire Daddy: The Hunt is On!", and many many more.
This naturally shoehorned him into the producing world, leading the charge on his first ever fully produced series "Dungeons of Ecstacy" for the largest vertical distributor, Reelshort.

After the success of that series in the domestic market, Felix joined forces again with his original partner for "Dungeons" - legendary horror director Charlie Band - for the formation of FMA Productions: a full-service production house hosting original and unique vertical projects for the biggest apps in the microdrama space. They are joined by partners, and vertical stars, Eric Guilmette, Sarah Molisky, and Rebecca Stoughton.
FMA Article: https://deadline.com/2026/03/charles-band-full-moon-features-microdrama-fma-productions-1236752414/
Felix has several high profile series yet to be released, including CheraTV's highly anticipated show "Ashton Heights," which has wrapped principal photography in Atlanta, and National Lampoon's Alpha Academy which has wrapped production on its first two seasons in Tampa, Florida.
***Felix is the recent winner of Best Villian from the 2026 VDL Fan Awards for his portrayal of Lafayette in Game of Choice, and the 2026 Apollo Awards Winner for Best Supporting Actor in Swipe Left for his portrayal of Robert.***
Felix is currently booked as a recurring guest on the new streaming series "Lostlings", set to wrap principal photography later this month.
Deadline Release for Lostlings: https://deadline.com/2025/06/lostlings-adapted-for-tv-by-iyanu-studio-lion-forge-1236443081/
Felix's new film "Dead Janitors Club" has recently been acquired by Blue Fox Entertainment for distribution and worldwide sales, and the film is set to hit American theatres later this year.
Deadline: https://deadline.com/2026/02/blue-fox-dead-janitors-club-efm-1236715517/
He is thrilled to be joining the Vertical MicroDrama Market in Vegas this year and cannot wait to meet everyone!

Buzz Leer

Podcast Host

We’re excited to welcome Buzz Leer, host of The Vertical Buzz, to Vertical Microdrama Market 2026 for a special LIVE podcast taping at SAHARA Las Vegas.

Join Buzz as he sits down with industry leaders, creators, talent, executives, and innovators shaping the future of vertical entertainment. Expect candid conversations, exclusive insights, and behind-the-scenes access to the people driving the fastest-growing segment of filmed content.

Be part of the conversation on Saturday, August 15th as the global vertical entertainment industry comes together in Las Vegas.