Created in response to a major shift in the audiovisual landscape, Mexico is hosting Blood Window Vertical, a two-day intensive program designed to support emerging genre filmmakers in a burgeoning new format, the Vertical.
The new program, running Sept. 26 and 27, is mainly organized by the Morbido Group and the Cannes Film Market, founders of Ventana Sur’s genre pic market, Blood Window. It will offer workshops, masterclasses, talks and networking opportunities as it provides practical tools and strategic insight for telling horror, fantasy and sci-fi stories across new platforms and formats.
Blood Window Vertical is born out of recognition for the rapidly evolving audiovisual industry, fueled by digital platforms, mobile-first viewing and new ways of telling stories.
According to its organizers, traditional film and TV no longer set the standard – short, vertical content made for phones is redefining how stories are told and how audiences connect. This shift pushes emerging creators to embrace faster, more immersive and flexible storytelling, without losing depth or a clear creative voice.
“Blood Window Vertical was created to democratize the world of the fantastic genre: today, you can tell a compelling story using just your phone. Choosing Mexico City as the backdrop makes perfect sense – it’s a creative hub with talent, a thriving industry and an audience that embraces genres like fantasy, horror and sci-fi. We’re here to amplify new voices and support projects that start here and make their way across the globe. This gathering is a convergence of talent, industry and platforms. The future of the fantastic genre is also written in vertical and it begins right here,” said program director Daniel de la Vega who called attention to the participation of wildly popular online reviewer Jesús Iglesias Villarreal, whose “wide reach and strong connection with young audiences make him a crucial ally in bringing the fantastic genre to the vertical format.”
Jesús Iglesias Villarreal, Isaac Ezban, Pablo Guisa Koestinger, Blanca López, Mario Rulloni
Day One of the inaugural program will be held 100% online as it focuses on providing practical tools for telling genre stories using only a mobile phone—and designed from the outset for the vertical format—this workshop offers key narrative techniques, explores new visual languages, and delivers hands-on inspiration to help craft original mobile-first stories.
Led by mentor Mario Rulloni, a filmmaker and university professor, it will center on how to create and produce micro horror, fantasy or sci-fi stories using only one’s phone. Program will cover core principles of vertical visual language: framing, pacing, lighting and sound tailored for mobile formats, examining current trends on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. It will also discuss narrative tools and production techniques to apply directly to one’s projects.
Day Two of Blood Window Vertical will take place in person at the Facultad de Cine in Mexico City, with a focus on content development, community building and strategies for making genre stories go viral on digital platforms. Through an intensive workshop and three Master Talks, it will explore how to turn dark ideas into powerful narratives that resonate with new audiences.
A five-hour intensive workshop will be led by Dr. Blanca Lopez, a narrative designer, professor and researcher focused on video games, film, and interactive storytelling. Lopez creates games (“Tommy is Angry,” “Ludus Cubus”), produces radio program “Horroris Causa” on UAM Radio and directs documentaries on gaming and pop culture in Mexico. Her work blends formats and genres to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Master Talks follow with Jesús Iglesias Villarreal, Pablo Guisa Koestinger and Isaac Ezban.
Villarreal left a career in structural engineering to pursue his true passion: cinema. Now a key voice in Ibero-American horror, he’s the founder of La Peli de la Semana, a platform offering film reviews, analysis and recommendations on Instagram and TikTok, focusing on genre cinema (horror, fantasy, sci-fi) and contemporary films. He’s also a coordinator of the online course Horror Corporal en el Cine (Body Horror in Cinema), and a writer and columnist across various platforms. His work bridges critical analysis and narrative creation.
Guisa, director of Mórbido Fest and CEO of Mórbido Group, will share his vision for the present and future of genre cinema in Ibero-America and beyond. He’ll explore the role of festivals as visibility platforms, the value of a strong narrative voice and how to shape a project from concept to screen.
Ezban is considered one of Mexico’s most distinctive voices in horror and sci-fi. His credits include such pics as “The Incident,” “The Similars,” “Evil Eye” and “Párvulos,” paving the way for a new generation of genre filmmakers.
