New York is about to give a vertical storyteller the same award previously handed to Darren Aronofsky and Michelle Buteau.

ALZA Festival, launching October 16-18 at AMC 19th St. East 6, just announced five NYC-based creators competing for the iconic “Made in NY” honor. It’s the first time the award has gone to vertical filmmakers, and the public gets to vote at nyc.gov/CreatedinNY starting now.

The finalists: Melissa Becraft and Sarah Pribis with *Investigator Investigator*, a comedy about Broadway stars moonlighting as private eyes. Jesse Fisher and Sasha Herman’s thriller *Watch Hill*, where a third date turns dangerous. Kyle C. Mumford’s *Kyle Has Tourette’s*, a heartfelt comedy based on his own life. Christina Richardson’s *Besties*, about platonic friends navigating blurred boundaries. And Romel Rodriguez’s *The Super NYC*, following a superintendent dealing with eccentric tenants.

All five will premiere new work at the festival’s “Created in NY” showcase, presented with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

“Storytelling is changing, and a new format should mean new recognition for the people creating great work,” says MOME Commissioner Rafael Espinal.

ALZA is the first festival dedicated entirely to microdramas and vertical series. Founder Pete Torres, former COO of Tribeca Festival, is betting that digital-native storytelling deserves real-world celebration. The winner gets announced on the festival’s final day.