Magaluf will host the first edition of Vertifest on 24 and 25 November 2026, the first festival in the Balearic Islands dedicated to vertical series. Over two days, the event will bring together creators, production companies, platforms, brands, screenwriters, directors and investors to explore the potential of an audiovisual format designed for mobile phone screens.
The initiative, launched by Calvià Town Council, comes at a time when vertical fiction is experiencing significant growth. These are series designed to be watched in a vertical format, with episodes lasting around two minutes and seasons that can comprise dozens of instalments.
According to figures from consultancy Omdia, cited by the organisers, the global market generated close to $11 billion in 2025, and forecasts suggest that its value could double by 2030.
Vertipitch Calvià, talks and industry networking
The Vertifest Magaluf programme is structured around three main sections. The first is Vertipitch Calvià, a national call for entries that will select ten vertical series projects to be presented to audiovisual industry professionals.
The programme will also feature Vertitalks, short talks exploring the creative and commercial aspects of this emerging format, as well as business round tables bringing together representatives from production companies, platforms, brands and investors.
The aim is to create a meeting place for different players in the industry and encourage new opportunities for collaboration and audiovisual production.
Vertipitch Calvià: how to submit a project
Creators and production companies interested in taking part in Vertipitch Calvià can submit their projects until 10 November 2026. The call for entries sets out the following requirements:
- Format: series consisting of 30 to 90 episodes, each lasting between 30 and 150 seconds.
- Language: projects must be in Spanish or one of Spain’s co-official languages.
- Setting: the story must take place in Calvià, with the municipality playing a significant role in the plot.
- Project stage: projects at the development, financing or production stage are eligible.
- Submission limit: each applicant may submit a maximum of two projects.
A professional jury will assess artistic quality, financial viability, the relevance of Calvià to the storyline and how well each proposal fits the vertical format. Three awards will be presented: Best Vertical Storytelling, Best Overall Proposal and Best Pitch.
The full rules and application form are available on the Vertifest website.
Puerto Portals, the setting for the Balearic Islands’ first vertical series
Calvià’s commitment to this format has already extended into audiovisual production. Puerto Portals hosted the filming of Contracorriente, considered the first vertical series produced in the Balearic Islands.
Directed by Ferran Bex and David Ávila, the series tells the story of three strangers who discover an injured sea turtle during a dolphin-watching trip. The production also conveys a message about the importance of protecting the seabed and the species that inhabit it.
Magaluf will also host the AI Movie Awards in March 2027
Vertifest is part of Calvià’s strategy to strengthen its profile as an audiovisual destination and attract new initiatives linked to creativity and innovation.
Another project in this field is the AI Movie Awards (AIMA), an international festival of short films created using artificial intelligence, which was launched in Magaluf in April 2026. Following its second edition in London on 7 and 8 November, the festival will return to the municipality on 26 and 27 March 2027 for its third edition.
The London event featured 30 finalist films selected from more than 500 entries from 57 countries, highlighting the growing international reach of the project.
With Vertifest and the return of the AI Movie Awards, Magaluf is adding new events to its calendar and strengthening its connection with emerging forms of audiovisual production and storytelling.
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