The Awards

This award recognizes the Outstanding Leading Actor portraying the heroic protagonist in a vertical series. The King represents the character audiences rally behind — the one who leads the story through courage, heart, and determination as he faces the challenges that define the journey.

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Sponsored in full by:

Alexandra Spiteri

Every great story needs a villain audiences love to hate. This award recognizes the male actor who delivered a standout villain performance in a vertical series, bringing unforgettable chaos, tension, and drama to the screen.

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Sponsored in full by:

Wolfpack - Angie C, Denise S, Gazelle S & Kye F

Behind every hero—or villain—stands a trusted ally, rival, or second-in-command. This award recognizes the male supporting actor whose performance strengthened the story through loyalty, rivalry, humor, or cunning.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Lisa Ansar | Sheridan Bradley

Parents in vertical dramas can guide, protect, manipulate, or complicate the lives of their children. This award recognizes a male actor whose portrayal of a father or father-figure made a significant impact on the story.

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Sponsored in full by:

Loy M. Shaw

Young actresses bring energy, heart, and unforgettable moments to vertical storytelling. This award honors a female actor 17 years of age or younger whose performance helped shape the story and captured the attention of audiences.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Wolfpack | Rosella Jordan | Patricya De Leersnyder | Michelle Bickford

Vertical storytelling continues to grow in creativity and popularity across many genres. This award recognizes the fan-favorite vertical series that captured audiences’ attention and stood out as the most memorable of the year.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Karen Riccio | Loy M. Shaw | 

Sheridan Bradley | Alexandra Spiteri

Fantasy worlds filled with magic, supernatural beings, and mythical stories captivate audiences across the vertical format. This award recognizes the vertical series that transported viewers into an unforgettable fantasy universe.

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Sponsored in full by:

Brandy Matt - Jackson Tiller's Spicy Fam

Great storytelling comes from the strength of an entire cast. This award celebrates the ensemble whose performances, chemistry, and collective energy brought their vertical series to life and created a memorable viewing experience.

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Sponsored in full by:

Wolfpack - Rebecca L, Lana K, Michelle B, & Carrie T

Vertical dramas are produced on demanding schedules and rely on talented creatives who bring characters to life through wardrobe, hair, makeup, and overall visual styling. This award recognizes the individuals and productions whose style and glam help define the look and personality of a vertical series.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Heike Weber | Noah's Universe | Susan Theede

Words are where every story begins. From unforgettable dialogue and emotional moments to twists that keep audiences hooked, exceptional writing is the foundation of powerful storytelling. This award recognizes the writer whose creativity, vision, and storytelling ability brought characters and worlds to life in a way that captivated audiences in a standout vertical series. 

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Sponsored in full by:

Megan Cresci - Jackson Tiller's Spicy Fam

Our phones have become the front-row seat to a new era of storytelling. Every great performance needs a stage—even if that stage fits in the palm of your hand. This award honors the vertical app that creates the best home for real creators and performers, and the ultimate authentic viewing experience for fans. From discovering new series to binge-watching favorite moments, these platforms keep the stories playing wherever you are.

 

Fully nominated and voted on by fans, this award celebrates the app that has truly turned our phones into a theater in our pocket and  keeps audiences watching, scrolling, and coming back for the next episode.

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Sponsored in fully by:

Noah's Universe

This award recognizes the Outstanding Leading Actress portraying the heroic protagonist in a vertical series. The Queen embodies the strength, resilience, and emotional core of the story, leading the narrative and capturing the hearts of audiences along the way.

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Sponsored in full by:

Sandi - Eric Guilmette Fandom Family

Villainesses can be just as unforgettable as their male counterparts. This award honors the female actor whose performance as an antagonist left audiences captivated, shocked, or thoroughly entertained.

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​Fully sponsored in part by:

Unhinged Vertical Review | Loy M. Shaw | Sheridan Bradley | Jasmine Adair

Supporting characters often shape the heart of a story through friendship, guidance, loyalty, or scheming ambition. This award honors the female supporting actor whose performance elevated the series and left a lasting impression.

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Sponsored in full by:

Denise Stankiewicz

From nurturing protectors to formidable matriarchs, mother figures often drive the emotional stakes of a story. This award honors a female actor whose portrayal of a mother or maternal figure helped shape the narrative.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Jackson Tiller's Spicy Fam | Gazelle Sexton

Young actors play an important role in bringing vertical stories to life. This award recognizes a standout male performance by an actor 17 years of age or younger, whose character made a meaningful impact on the story—whether heroic, mischievous, or delightfully troublesome.

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Sponsored in full by:

Sharon Mendonsa

Laughter is a powerful part of storytelling. This award celebrates the vertical series that delivered the biggest laughs, whether through romantic comedy, clever dialogue, or unforgettable comedic moments.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Sheridan Bradley | Stacey Adair | Elke Steyaert | Joanne - Team Noah Fearnley

Vertical storytelling is a global phenomenon. This award honors a vertical series produced outside of the United States that captured the hearts of audiences and showcased the creativity of international creators.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Amanda Charlee | Amy Michelle F. | Theresa A. Smith | Michelle Bickford

Some scenes require careful coordination to ensure performances feel authentic while maintaining respect and professionalism on set. This award honors the work of intimacy coordinators and the actors who brought compelling romantic chemistry to the screen, helping create believable and emotionally resonant relationships.

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Sponsored in full by:

Lisa Ansar

Directors guide the vision, pacing, and emotional impact of vertical dramas while working within demanding production timelines. This award recognizes directors who have elevated storytelling through strong leadership, creative vision, and exceptional execution.

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Fully sponsored in part by:

Noah's Universe | Loy M. Shaw | Team Noah Fearnley

Post-production is where stories are refined, sharpened, and brought together. This award recognizes the editors whose skill and creativity shape the pacing, tension, and emotional impact that make vertical dramas so engaging.

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Sponsored in full by:

Yolanda Anthony - Jackson Tiller's Spicy Fam

The Lionheart Award honors individuals in the vertical films industry who embody a true lion’s heart — leading with courage, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference. By turning influence into action and success into service, their impact reaches far beyond the screen and into the heart of their communities.

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Nominated by fans, with the winner selected by the IAC board,  this award is reserved for individuals who are actively working in front of the camera or regularly working on production sets in vertical films. 

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Sponsored in full by:

Wolfpack - Meg Luna, Shannon T, Lynne F & Echoes of Eric G