by FilmInk Staff
An online event on Sunday, 30 August 2026 brings together industry voices to explore the booming global microdrama format — and launches a Vertical48-hour microdrama episode challenge for Australian creators.
Koala Reels (a division of Star Rae Productions, Tasmania), in collaboration with Dingo Drama (South Australia), have announced the inaugural Australian Microdrama Forum, the country’s first industry event dedicated to the vertical microdrama format — short, serialised, cliffhanger-driven vertical video dramas that have become a global entertainment phenomenon, but remain largely untapped by Australian filmmakers.
The one-day online forum will be held on Sunday 30 August 2026, from 10am to 6pm AEST, and will feature eight live industry panel sessions with audience Q&A, covering the full pipeline of microdrama production — from concept development and screenwriting through to directing, acting, and distribution opportunities. The day will close with a free session exploring opportunities in the vertical space, alongside the launch of the Koala Reels Vertical48, a 48-hour microdrama episode challenge open to all Australian creators in September 2026.
Microdramas — vertical, mobile-first drama series told in short, addictive episodes — have exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry overseas, driven by dedicated apps and platforms in markets including the UK, United States and China. Despite this rapid global growth, the format has had minimal visibility in Australia to date.
“Microdramas are already a massive, fast-growing industry overseas, but the format still seems to be largely unknown here,” said Racheal Leigh, founder of Koala Reels and organiser of the Forum. “We wanted to bring together the people already involved with this format, and the wider screen industry, to start a real conversation about what microdramas mean for Australian creators, and the opportunities in particular for smaller, independent filmmakers and production houses that we could be taking advantage of.”
The Forum is being run as a grassroots, self-funded event, with no external investment or grant funding, with speakers and moderators all volunteering their time. Registration fees — $10 per session, or $59 for full-day access — go directly toward the cost of running the event.
Recordings of each session will be made available to registered attendees after the event, with individual session recordings later offered for purchase to those unable to attend live.
For more details, or to register, go to https://www.microdramaforum.com.au
Event Details
What: Australian Microdrama Forum — 8 live panels + Q&A, followed by the Vertical48 challenge launch
When: Sunday 30 August 2026, 10am–6pm AEST
Where: Online, Australia-wide
Tickets: $10 per session, or $59 for full-day access (final session free to all, registrations still required)
Registration & full program: www.microdramaforum.com.au
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Facebook: @koalareels Instagram: @koalareelstv TikTok: @koala.reels
About Racheal Leigh & Koala Reels
Racheal Leigh is an Australian vertical microdrama screenwriter, producer, and director with Star Rae Productions. Founder of the Tamar Valley Film Festival, Vertical Drama Scripts & Koala Reels. She was the only Australian microdrama screenwriter to be accepted into the Anamana 100 Creators Program, as well as the Sundance TikTok Micro-Series Incubator. Her recent microdrama, Circle of Secrets, is now available to watch on the Anamana App (on Google / Apple).
Koala Reels is a new Australian platform dedicated to championing vertical video storytelling, including the emerging microdrama format. Through events, education and the upcoming Vertical48 challenge, Koala Reels supports Australian screen creatives exploring new formats and platforms for short-form drama.
