New Short Media Wraps New Horror-Comedy Microdrama
The Los Angeles-based production company has completed its latest project featuring Eric Roberts and Merrick Hanna.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Horror
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New Short Media has officially finished production on the horror-comedy microdrama It's My Party & I'll Die If I Want To. The project is designed to reach audiences through both a vertical episodic series and a traditional horizontal feature film.
Why it matters
This production represents the company's strategic focus on creating distinct viewing experiences for vertical and horizontal formats from the same intellectual property. It serves as an early cornerstone for the studio's broader growth plans.
New Short Media is planning an inaugural slate consisting of approximately 10 projects. The company, launched in July 2026, aims to produce content formatted for both vertical mobile consumption and traditional horizontal screens.
The players
Eric Roberts
An Academy Award-nominated actor with a prolific career spanning decades in film and television.
Merrick Hanna
A performer and actor known for his appearances in competitive dance television series.
Neela Jolene
An emerging actress who has appeared in various television and film projects.
Alon Shtruzman
An entertainment executive and co-founder of New Short Media who previously led international production divisions.
Scott Einbinder
A veteran film producer and co-founder of New Short Media with an extensive background in independent cinema.
The details
The film stars Eric Roberts, Merrick Hanna, and Neela Jolene in a project that merges horror and comedy elements. By operating alongside 5X Media, the studio aims to maximize its production output by leveraging shared resources and operational expertise.
Timeline
Alon Shtruzman and Scott Einbinder launched New Short Media in July 2026.
Production on the horror-comedy project wrapped in October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production approach mirrors the industry trend of optimizing intellectual property for vertical mobile-first video platforms. It signals a shift in how studios balance traditional cinema standards with the growing demand for short-form, mobile-optimized episodic content.
Viewers will be able to choose between watching the content as a traditional movie or as an episodic series on their mobile devices. This dual-format strategy allows fans to access the story in the way that best fits their personal viewing habits.
The takeaway
This production model highlights how modern studios are increasingly diversifying their delivery methods to meet audiences where they are. Readers can expect to see more creators repurposing single stories to fit both living room television screens and mobile device interfaces.
Further reading
For more updates on upcoming scary features, visit the Horror section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer watching short-form vertical mobile content over traditional feature-length movies?
