In the vibrant realm of digital entertainment, Snail, Inc. is currently making waves with its innovative approach to storytelling. This Culver City-based company has established itself as a prominent player in the global gaming industry, and now it’s taking significant strides in the world of short-form drama through its Vertical Entertainment division, Interactive Films. Recently, the company announced an exciting milestone: the submission of its latest short drama, Hollywood Heartthrob, to the prestigious International Short Drama Awards.
Following the critical acclaim of their previous work, Red Talons—which clinched the Best Fantasy Award at the 2025 Vertical Shorts Festival—this latest submission highlights the growing influence of the Interactive Films division. This trajectory aligns with Snail’s strategic vision to foster creative partnerships and enhance its U.S.-based hub for premium short-form storytelling, reaching audiences at home and abroad.
Interactive Films has made significant strides in the short-form genre, particularly with the launch of Salty TV. This platform focuses on producing mobile-first dramas that prioritize high-quality storytelling through a product-led approach. With 67 short dramas already released, including collaborations with external organizations, Salty TV is setting itself apart in a fast-evolving market.
What makes Salty TV unique is its commitment to crafting engaging narratives that retain viewer interest. Each title features episode-level hooks and includes intentional conversion mechanics, allowing for subscriptions, episodic purchases, and premium access tiers. This model is designed to cultivate long-term relationships with engaged viewers, as well as promote sustained viewership through rewarding experiences.
Within just four years of introducing vertical dramas, the genre’s global market has shown remarkable growth, recently surpassing $8 billion according to Media Partners Asia. This sharp rise reflects a transformation from an experimental stage to a commercially viable sector. The U.S., in particular, has emerged as a promising market, accounting for approximately 8% of global short drama downloads and 49% of total global revenue in Q1 2025. This statistic emphasizes the U.S.’s role as a critical battleground where short drama apps are vying for audience attention amid rising competition.
“Submitting Hollywood Heartthrob to the International Short Drama Award is about cultural leadership and practical partnership-building,” stated Andres Porras, Production Manager at Interactive Films. His statement underscores the intent to popularize short-form drama in the U.S. and reinforce Salty TV as a vital platform capable of bridging international content with domestic audiences.
Participation in such awards highlights Salty TV’s strategic position as a leading U.S. vertical-drama platform. This involvement not only aims to validate the creative quality of their productions before festival curators but also seeks to forge relationships that expedite global availability for premium short intellectual properties. By making their mark at industry events, Snail Inc. and Interactive Films are committed to shaping the future of short-form storytelling both domestically and internationally.
About Snail, Inc.
Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) positions itself as a global independent developer and publisher renowned for interactive digital entertainment. Its diverse portfolio includes premium games designed for a multitude of platforms, spanning consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. For more insights, visit: https://snail.com/.
About Interactive Films LLC
Interactive Films (IF), a subsidiary of Snail, Inc., was created with the mission to engage new audiences and share stories through multiple formats. It is the driving force behind Salty TV, which focuses on producing and showcasing captivating short-form vertical content. The Salty TV app is accessible on both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. For further details, explore https://interactive-films.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, identifiable by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” and “expect.” These statements reflect the company’s projections regarding industry performance and the future trajectory of its content offerings. Readers are encouraged to review the associated risks and uncertainties, outlined in the Company’s annual reports and SEC filings, to understand the financial landscape.
Investor Contact:
John Yi and Steven Shinmachi
Gateway Group, Inc.
949-574-3860
SNAL@gateway-grp.com
