Candace Mizga chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about the ALZA Festival in New York this weekend, and 2027 Micro Drama Fest in India.
On being a part of the inaugural ALZA Festival, she remarked, “I am so excited to be back in New York after a couple of years. I’m also thrilled to be screening Ashton Heights, which is available on Chera TV and which I both star in and produced.”
“It’s incredibly exciting,” she exclaimed. “I’m so impressed by what the organizers have put together. There are so many outstanding vertical dramas being screened, along with fascinating industry discussions.”
“I’m excited not only to celebrate my own project but also to support everyone else’s work and hear perspectives from people across the vertical entertainment industry,” she noted.
“I’ll also be participating in a panel discussion about casting in vertical dramas. Having both acted in and produced verticals, I have a unique perspective to bring to the conversation. Paul Ruddy, my co-founder Kylie Karson, and several other fantastic industry professionals will be joining the panel. I’m really looking forward to it,” she elaborated.
‘Ashton Heights’
Mizga described Ashton Heights as probably “the most unique vertical drama” she has worked on so far.
“It’s a psychological thriller, and the lead character I play, Val, is far from your typical vertical drama heroine. She’s almost a villain, in a way, but you also find yourself feeling sympathetic toward her. The story is full of twists and turns, so it will definitely keep audiences on their toes,” she said.
Closing thoughts on the ALZA Festival
Mizga remarked, “I hope people leave the ALZA Festival feeling connected to both the creators and the audiences who enjoy their work. Especially at a time when the vertical drama industry is navigating so many changes, including the rise of AI and the uncertainty that comes with it, I think this festival offers an important opportunity for people to come together.”
“It’s a chance to showcase work created by real people for real people. I hope we can celebrate that human connection, support one another, and recognize the creativity that makes this industry so special,” she added.
2027 Micro Drama Fest in India
Mizga is looking forward to being a part of the 2027 Micro Drama Fest in India. “I will be traveling to India for the Micro Drama Fest, which I’m really excited about,” she exclaimed.
“There are so many wonderful people who are planning to attend, and I’ve never been to India before, so I think it’s going to be an incredible experience. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to connect with audiences from that part of the world and learn more about how they engage with vertical storytelling. I think it will be a really special experience,” she elaborated.
To learn more about Candace Mizga, follow her on Instagram.
