Verticals Platform DramaBox Courts Up-and-Coming Writers With Stage 32 Partnership (Exclusive)

If you know someone who likes microdramas, chances are they’ve spent a lot of time (if not money) on DramaBox.

The microdramas platform, owned by Singapore-based StoryMatrix, is second only to ReelShort in global monetization, according to a study of the first quarter of 2025 by SensorTower. The app regularly appears in the Apple App Store’s top free entertainment apps, boosted by popular titles like Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis and FYI: My Love Ship’s Sailed Without You.

Now, it’s making moves to expand its pool of writers as it seeks to tap into the potential of the American market. The company has entered into a partnership with a US-based social network and entertainment education platform Stage 32 to develop writing talent for its verticals, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The two companies have created a free development program for selected writers on the ascendant format, which seeks to hook viewers within seconds and persuade them to purchase subsequent episodes of its stories. Participants in this invite-only “writer incubator” program will also be considered for future writing assignments and receive feedback and mentorship opportunities. Stage 32 says it will use internal performance data to determine who receives an invite.

The companies are additionally launching a global writing competition with a $5,000 grand prize contract. Writers can submit traditional screenwriting samples starting Dec. 2. The grand prize winner, who will be announced on May 15, 2026, will work with DramaBox to adapt intellectual property that suits their writing voice.

For entertainment workers weathering traditional Hollywood’s contraction, the verticals format has recently offered a much-needed influx of work. Microdrama productions have flocked to traditional entertainment hubs like LA and the New York area, taking advantage of the experienced workforce that lives there.

Stage32 is staking out the position that this phenomenon isn’t just a passing fad and that writers should be taking the format seriously. “Vertical series aren’t just a trend. They’re a legitimate career pathway,” said Stage 32 CEO Richard “RB” Botto in a statement. “DramaBox is at the forefront of this movement, and this partnership gives writers direct access to a thriving market that’s actively seeking fresh voices.”

As for DramaBox, the move comes on the heels of similar initiatives that the company has begun with the nonprofit Gold House and screenwriting program Roadmap Writers as the company works to widen its pool of writers, including those who can speak to US audiences.

Originally popularized in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, microdramas are set to make $3 billion outside China this year, according to a report from Owl & Co. Companies see significant potential in the US, which Sensortower reports is the global market that generates the most revenue for microdrama apps, even though the format isn’t considered mainstream stateside yet.

Of course, to grow, platforms will need stories that are addictive to US viewers. “DramaBox is where the next generation of storytellers are cutting their teeth,” DramaBox head of development Christianne Cruz said in a statement. “We’re looking for writers who can move fast, be bold, and understand what hooks an audience within seconds. Our partnership with Stage 32 unlocks a worldwide network of emerging and seasoned writers, creating new opportunities for discovery on a global scale.”

Adds DramaBox’s senior head of development, Kelly Tang, “Vertical series live or die by emotion, structure, and the writer’s ability to hook an audience within seconds.” Tang continues, “This partnership allows our development teams to guide writers through that creative discipline and help them shape stories that resonate globally. We are committed to nurturing voices who can define the next wave of vertical storytelling.”