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Chinese short dramas have taken the entertainment world by storm, with series like The Bad Kids and The Long Night becoming cultural phenomena. But what exactly makes these dramas so successful? In this blog, we’ll break down the anatomy of a hit Chinese short drama, exploring the key ingredients that captivate audiences and how distribution companies contribute to their success.

1. A Strong Hook: The Importance of the Opening Scene

The first few minutes of a drama are critical. A gripping opening scene can instantly draw viewers in and set the tone for the entire series. For example, The Bad Kids starts with a chilling murder that leaves audiences eager to know more. This technique is widely used by Chinese short drama distribution companies to ensure their dramas make a strong first impression.

2. Emotional Depth: Making Viewers Care

Emotion is the driving force behind any successful drama. By creating characters that viewers can relate to and placing them in high-stakes situations, short dramas can evoke powerful emotional responses. In The Long Night, the protagonist’s unwavering commitment to justice resonates deeply with audiences. Short movie distribution companies often prioritize scripts with strong emotional arcs, as these are more likely to engage viewers and generate word-of-mouth buzz.

3. Character Consistency: Keeping the Story Believable

Characters in hit dramas are not only well-developed but also consistent in their actions and motivations. For instance, the protagonist in The Bad Kids is a complex character whose decisions align with his personality throughout the series. Chinese movie distribution companies understand the importance of character consistency and often highlight these traits in their promotional campaigns.

4. Tight Pacing: Keeping the Story Moving

Short dramas have limited time to tell their stories, so pacing is crucial. Hit series often feature fast-paced narratives with unexpected twists that keep viewers engaged. For example, a sudden revelation or a dramatic turn of events can elevate a drama from good to unforgettable. Short film distribution companies focus on maintaining this momentum during editing and promotion.

5. Cultural and Social Relevance

Many successful Chinese short dramas incorporate cultural elements or address social issues, making them more relatable to local audiences. For instance, The Long Night tackles themes like corruption and justice, which resonate deeply with viewers. Chinese short drama distribution companies often use these themes to create a stronger connection with their audience.

6. The Role of Distribution Companies

Behind every hit drama is a team of professionals working to bring it to the audience. Chinese short drama distribution companies play a critical role in this process, from selecting promising scripts to marketing the final product. They collaborate with streaming platforms, social media influencers, and other channels to maximize the drama’s reach and impact.

Conclusion:
The success of a Chinese short drama hinges on a combination of strong storytelling, emotional depth, and strategic distribution. By focusing on these elements, short movie distribution companies and Chinese movie distribution companies can produce and promote dramas that resonate with audiences and stand out in a competitive market. Whether you’re a creator or a viewer, understanding these factors can deepen your appreciation for the art of short drama.

With the rapid rise of the short drama market, more and more companies and creators are eager to enter this field. However, promoting and distributing short dramas is not something that can be done casually—it requires a series of legal qualifications. Today, we’ll dive into the qualifications needed to distribute short dramas in China, helping you operate compliantly and avoid pitfalls!

1. Radio and Television Program Production and Operation License 🌟

1.1 Why is this license necessary?

The Radio and Television Program Production and Operation License is a must-have qualification for engaging in activities such as producing and distributing radio and television programs. Whether you’re producing short dramas or promoting and distributing them, this license is essential. Without it, it’s like “driving without a license”—you won’t get far in the short drama industry.

1.2 How to apply?

To apply for this license, you need to submit application materials to the local radio and television administration department. These materials include basic company information, business scope, and proof of production capabilities. Once approved, you can legally produce and distribute short dramas.

Role of Chinese short drama distribution companies: Many Chinese short drama distribution companies hold this license, as it is a fundamental requirement for legally distributing short dramas in China.

2. Internet Culture Business License 🎭

2.1 Why is this license necessary?

Short dramas fall under the category of internet cultural products, making the Internet Culture Business License crucial. Especially when short dramas involve profit-generating internet cultural activities (such as monetizing short dramas), this license is a must. It ensures your compliance in the field of internet cultural dissemination, smoothing the path for your short drama promotion and distribution.

2.2 How to apply?

To apply for this license, you need to submit an application to the cultural and tourism department. Required materials include company qualifications, business plans, and content review mechanisms. Once approved, you can legally engage in internet cultural business activities.

Role of Chinese film distribution companies: Many Chinese film distribution companies also operate in the short drama space, and they often hold this license to ensure compliance when distributing content online.

3. Copyright-Related Documentation 📄

3.1 Why is copyright documentation necessary?

Copyright issues in short dramas cannot be taken lightly. Promotion and distribution parties must have clear copyright authorization—either exclusive authorization from the copyright owner or ownership of the copyright themselves. Without proper copyright documentation, you risk getting caught in legal disputes or even facing lawsuits.

3.2 How to ensure copyright compliance?

Original works: If you are the original creator of the short drama, keep records of the creation process, such as scripts and behind-the-scenes footage, to prove copyright ownership.

Licensed works: If you obtain authorization from the copyright owner, sign a formal copyright authorization agreement that clearly defines the scope, duration, and profit-sharing terms.

Role of Chinese movie distribution companies: Chinese movie distribution companies often handle copyright-related matters, ensuring that short dramas have proper authorization before distribution.

4. Value-Added Telecommunications Business License (ICP License) 💡

4.1 Why is an ICP license necessary?

If your short drama promotion and distribution platform involves profit-generating activities (such as charging fees or offering subscription services), you will need a Value-Added Telecommunications Business License (ICP License). This is a crucial qualification for ensuring the legal operation of your platform and protecting user rights.

4.2 How to apply?

To apply for an ICP license, you need to submit an application to the communications administration department. Required materials include company qualifications, business scope, and technical plans. Once approved, you can legally operate profit-generating internet services.

Role of Chinese short drama distribution companies: Many Chinese short drama distribution companies hold ICP licenses, as they often operate platforms that monetize short dramas.

5. Other Potential Qualifications

Depending on your specific business model, you may also need the following qualifications:

5.1 Information Network Audiovisual Program Transmission License

If your short dramas are distributed via the internet, you may need an Information Network Audiovisual Program Transmission License. This is a specialized license for distributing audiovisual programs online.

5.2 Advertising Business License

If your short dramas include advertisements, you may need an Advertising Business License to ensure the legality of your advertising activities.

Role of Chinese film distribution companies: Chinese film distribution companies often handle these additional licenses, especially when distributing content across multiple platforms.

6. Conclusion: Compliance is Key to Long-Term Success

Distributing short dramas in China requires not only creativity and content but also legal and compliant operations. The Radio and Television Program Production and Operation License, Internet Culture Business License, copyright-related documentation, and ICP License are the foundational qualifications for entering this field. Only with these qualifications can you ensure smooth promotion and distribution of your short dramas while avoiding legal risks.

As the short drama market continues to grow, industry regulations may become stricter. Therefore, understanding and preparing the necessary qualifications in advance is not only a protection for your business but also a contribution to the healthy development of the industry. We hope this blog provides valuable insights and helps you thrive in the short drama industry!

The origin of micro-dramas can be traced back to a few years ago, when they started as experimental creations by short video creators. These early works featured simple plots and low production costs. However, with the rapid development of mobile internet, people’s entertainment time became more fragmented, and micro-dramas quickly captured the audience’s attention with their “short, fast, and engaging” characteristics. From being initially overlooked to becoming a new darling of the film and television industry, the growth speed of micro-dramas is astonishing! This article will explore the rise of this emerging content form from four perspectives: its origin, reasons for popularity, industry status, and challenges. Additionally, we will highlight the role of short drama distribution companies, short film distribution companies, and short movie distribution companies in shaping this dynamic industry.

1. The Origin of Micro-Dramas: From “Grassroots Creation” to “Industry Star”

The birth of micro-dramas can be traced back to the rise of short video platforms. Initially, some short video creators experimented with longer narrative forms to attract audiences. However, due to platform time limits, these works were usually only a few minutes long, with simple plots and rough production. Nevertheless, this low-cost, high-efficiency creative approach laid the foundation for the emergence of micro-dramas.

With the popularity of mobile internet and the widespread use of smartphones, people’s entertainment time became more fragmented. Traditional long dramas require a significant time investment, while micro-dramas, with their “short, fast, and engaging” characteristics, perfectly fit modern lifestyles. Each episode, lasting 1-5 minutes, allows viewers to watch anytime, anywhere, making full use of fragmented time. This convenience has propelled micro-dramas from “grassroots creation” to “industry star,” becoming a new force in the film and television industry. Short drama distribution companies have played a crucial role in promoting these works, ensuring they reach a wide audience.

2. Reasons for the Popularity of Micro-Dramas

The rapid rise of micro-dramas can be attributed to several key factors:

2.1 Fragmented Viewing: Adapting to Modern Lifestyles

Modern life is fast-paced, and people often struggle to find time for long dramas. Micro-dramas, with each episode lasting 1-5 minutes, perfectly cater to viewers’ fragmented time needs. Whether during commutes, lunch breaks, or before bed, viewers can easily enjoy a quick and engaging story.

2.2 Compact Plots: Hitting the Audience’s Sweet Spot

Another feature of micro-dramas is their compact plots, with no unnecessary filler. Each episode gets straight to the point, quickly advancing the storyline with constant twists and exciting moments that keep viewers hooked. This high-density narrative style greatly enhances the viewing experience, meeting the audience’s demand for fast-paced content.

2.3 Diverse Themes: Catering to Varied Tastes

Micro-dramas cover a wide range of themes, from romantic comedies to historical fantasies and urban adventures. Whether it’s young women who love sweet romances or men who prefer suspenseful stories, everyone can find something they enjoy in micro-dramas. This diversity allows micro-dramas to appeal to a broad audience. Short film distribution companies have been instrumental in promoting these diverse themes, ensuring they resonate with different viewer segments.

3. Current Status of the Micro-Drama Industry

With the popularity of micro-dramas, the industry has experienced rapid growth. Here are the key aspects of the current micro-drama industry:

3.1 Expanding Market Size

According to relevant data, the micro-drama market continues to grow, attracting significant capital investment. Major video platforms have also entered the micro-drama space, launching support policies and collaboration programs. For example, platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou have established dedicated micro-drama channels, providing creators with traffic support and monetization opportunities. Short movie distribution companies are actively participating in this expansion, ensuring these works reach global audiences.

3.2 Improved Production Quality

Early micro-dramas were often rough in production, with mediocre acting and visual quality. However, as the industry has developed, more professional film and television teams have joined the fray. Today, micro-dramas have significantly improved in terms of visual quality, acting, and plot design, with some works even matching the production standards of traditional dramas.

3.3 Intense Competition and Homogenization Issues

With a flood of creators and companies entering the market, competition in the micro-drama industry has become fierce. To capture market share, many creators imitate popular themes and plots, leading to issues of content homogenization. Standing out in such a competitive environment has become a major challenge for creators and platforms alike.

4. Challenges Facing Micro-Dramas

Despite the rapid development of the micro-drama industry, it faces several challenges:

4.1 Inconsistent Content Quality

Some micro-dramas prioritize speed and traffic over content quality, resulting in clichéd plots, illogical storylines, and poorly developed characters. Balancing speed with quality is a key issue the industry must address.

4.2 Inadequate Copyright Protection Mechanisms

Due to the industry’s rapid growth, copyright protection mechanisms are still underdeveloped. Issues such as plagiarism and infringement are common, with some creators copying popular micro-dramas’ ideas and plots, infringing on original creators’ rights. Strengthening copyright protection is essential for the industry’s healthy development.

4.3 Increased Regulatory Scrutiny

As micro-dramas gain popularity, regulatory authorities have tightened their oversight. Content reviews have become stricter, with works involving vulgarity, violence, or harmful values being removed or revised. Balancing regulatory compliance with creative freedom is a challenge for creators and platforms.

5. Conclusion: The Future of Micro-Dramas

From its humble beginnings as “grassroots creation” to its current status as an “industry darling,” the development of micro-dramas is remarkable. With their “short, fast, and engaging” characteristics and diverse themes, micro-dramas have successfully captured the audience’s attention, becoming a new force in the film and television industry. However, as the industry grows, it faces challenges such as content quality, copyright protection, and regulatory scrutiny.

In the future, the micro-drama industry must focus on content innovation, production quality, and copyright protection to remain competitive. At the same time, with the popularization of 5G technology and the further development of short video platforms, micro-dramas are poised to reach even greater heights, offering audiences more exciting content experiences. Short drama distribution companies, short film distribution companies, and short movie distribution companies will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping this dynamic industry, ensuring its growth and success on a global scale.

In recent years, cultural tourism micro-dramas have gradually become a new favorite in tourism promotion. From 《My Altay》 to 《My Journey with the Wind》, these short dramas not only immerse viewers in captivating storylines but also successfully drive tourism booms in related regions. So, how do cultural tourism micro-dramas touch hearts and influence tourism consumption? This article will explore the charm and value of cultural tourism micro-dramas from four perspectives: emotional resonance, scene integration, precision marketing, and future trends. Additionally, we will highlight the role of Chinese short drama distribution companies, Chinese film distribution companies, and Chinese movie distribution companies in shaping this emerging industry.

1. Emotional Resonance: The Power of Storytelling

The core of cultural tourism micro-dramas lies in storytelling. A good story can evoke emotional resonance among viewers, thereby sparking their desire to travel. Unlike traditional tourism promotional videos, micro-dramas capture viewers’ attention quickly through compact plots and strong emotional impact. For example, 《My Altay》 tells the story of the protagonist’s deep affection for their hometown, making viewers curious and eager to visit Altay. This emotional connection is far more persuasive than traditional tourism advertisements.

1.1 Emotion-Driven Travel Motivation

A significant characteristic of modern tourism consumption is emotion-driven motivation. Tourists no longer settle for merely “checking in” at a destination but seek emotional satisfaction and mental relaxation through travel. Cultural tourism micro-dramas successfully evoke viewers’ longing for distant places by telling touching stories. For instance, the themes of family, nostalgia, and reverence for nature in 《My Altay》 deeply moved audiences, inspiring their desire to travel. Chinese short drama distribution companies play a crucial role in bringing these emotionally resonant stories to life, ensuring they reach a wide audience.

1.2 Cultural Identity and Emotional Connection

Cultural tourism micro-dramas also enhance viewers’ cultural identity by showcasing local culture and folk customs. For example, 《My Journey with the Wind》 portrays heartwarming stories encountered by the protagonist during their journey, highlighting the diverse culture and simplicity of Yunnan. This sense of cultural identity strengthens viewers’ emotional connection to the destination, prompting them to take actual travel actions. Chinese film distribution companies are instrumental in promoting these culturally rich narratives, helping them gain traction both domestically and internationally.

2. Scene Integration: Immersive Experiences for Viewers

In addition to emotional resonance, cultural tourism micro-dramas create immersive experiences for viewers through stunning visuals and authentic scenes. The natural landscapes, cultural landmarks, and local features depicted in these dramas often become must-visit “check-in spots” for audiences.

2.1 Visual Impact and Immersive Experiences

Cultural tourism micro-dramas present visually striking scenes through high-quality filming and production. For example, the snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and lakes in 《My Altay》 make viewers feel as if they are standing amidst Altay’s breathtaking scenery. This immersive experience significantly enhances viewers’ desire to visit the destination. Chinese movie distribution companies are key players in ensuring these visually captivating dramas are distributed across multiple platforms, maximizing their reach and impact.

2.2 Deep Integration of Scenes and Plot

Cultural tourism micro-dramas also deepen viewers’ engagement by seamlessly integrating scenes with the plot. For instance, the ancient towns, terraced fields, and ethnic customs in 《My Journey with the Wind》 not only add rich regional flavor to the story but also ignite viewers’ curiosity about Yunnan. This integration of scenes and plot maximizes the destination’s appeal. Chinese short drama distribution companies often collaborate with local tourism boards to ensure the authenticity and attractiveness of these scenes, further enhancing their promotional value.

3. Precision Marketing: From Traffic to Conversion

Another advantage of cultural tourism micro-dramas lies in their precision marketing capabilities. Through social media and short video platforms, micro-dramas can quickly reach target audiences and achieve a closed loop from traffic to conversion.

3.1 The Spread Effect of Social Media

Cultural tourism micro-dramas are typically promoted on platforms like Douyin, Kuaishou, and Weibo. These platforms boast massive user bases and high interactivity, enabling micro-dramas to spread rapidly to target audiences. For example, 《My Altay》 attracted a large number of young viewers through Douyin promotions, and these viewers are the main force behind tourism consumption. Chinese film distribution companies leverage these platforms to amplify the reach of micro-dramas, ensuring they resonate with the right audience segments.

3.2 From “Planting Seeds” to “Harvesting”

Cultural tourism micro-dramas successfully “plant seeds” for tourism destinations through their scenes and stories. After watching these dramas, viewers often add the depicted locations to their travel bucket lists, converting their interest into actual travel actions. For instance, after the release of 《My Journey with the Wind》, tourism bookings for Yunnan surged, demonstrating the successful conversion from online engagement to offline tourism. Chinese movie distribution companies play a pivotal role in this process, ensuring that the dramas are strategically marketed to drive tourism growth.

4. Future Trends: Content is King, Marketing is Secondary

In the future, the cultural tourism micro-drama market will trend toward prioritizing content quality over marketing. As competition intensifies, micro-dramas relying solely on traffic and marketing will gradually lose their edge. Only those that genuinely touch hearts and showcase local characteristics will stand out in the cultural tourism market.

4.1 Elevating Content Quality

In the future, cultural tourism micro-dramas will focus more on content quality and diversity. Beyond showcasing natural landscapes and cultural landmarks, micro-dramas will delve deeper into local culture and historical stories, creating works with richer cultural connotations. For example, 《My Journey with the Wind》 attracted a large audience with its heartwarming stories and diverse culture, reflecting the importance of content quality. Chinese short drama distribution companies are expected to invest more in high-quality productions, ensuring that the stories resonate deeply with audiences.

4.2 Diversified Marketing Approaches

In the future, marketing strategies for cultural tourism micro-dramas will become more diversified. In addition to social media promotions, micro-dramas will integrate more closely with tourism products and cultural creative products, forming a complete industry chain from content creation to tourism consumption. For instance, 《My Altay》 could develop related tourism routes and cultural creative products to extend its lifecycle and value chain. Chinese film distribution companies will play a crucial role in these diversified marketing efforts, ensuring that the dramas reach a global audience.

4.3 IP Operations and Assetization

In the future, cultural tourism micro-dramas will no longer be just marketing tools but cultural assets. Through IP operations, micro-dramas can develop derivatives, themed tourism routes, and more, forming a complete IP industry chain. For example, 《My Journey with the Wind》 could expand its market value by developing related films, games, and cultural creative products. Chinese movie distribution companies will be at the forefront of this trend, driving the assetization of micro-dramas and creating new revenue streams.

5. Conclusion: The Future of Cultural Tourism Micro-Dramas

As an emerging tourism promotion method, cultural tourism micro-dramas are bridging the gap between culture and tourism, igniting people’s passion for travel, and driving the integrated development of the cultural tourism industry. In the future, with technological advancements and market maturation, cultural tourism micro-dramas will unleash even greater potential, injecting new vitality into the industry.

From 《My Altay》 to 《My Journey with the Wind》, cultural tourism micro-dramas have demonstrated their immense potential in tourism promotion. In the future, with improved content quality and diversified marketing approaches, cultural tourism micro-dramas will become an indispensable part of the tourism market, offering richer and more personalized travel experiences while bringing more opportunities and challenges to destinations. Chinese short drama distribution companies, Chinese film distribution companies, and Chinese movie distribution companies will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping this dynamic industry, ensuring its growth and success on a global scale.

Short drama distribution has become more challenging nowadays because the global entertainment industry has expanded greatly, and the place of short dramas has been identified as rather strong. With the appearance of new platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reelshort, short dramas are engaging the audience all around the globe. Analyzing the information from Lucintel and Wiseguyreports, it is possible to state that the market for micro-short dramas also has a high potential for growth due to the increasing popularity of mobile versions of TV programs and serials, as well as short TV dramas. That being said, some of the filmmakers face challenges in short drama distribution. 

1: Short Drama Market  

What is a short drama?

A short drama is a concise, short episode designed for quick consumption, typically ranging from 1 to 15 minutes. Short dramas usually entail a short, unique storyline; these are series formulated for mobile use. It always uses the best techniques, skills, and background to engage the audience within a limited span of time.

The Rise of Short Dramas 

It is easier to produce short dramas, and there is now a trend toward their production and consumption, especially in a market like China with the help of short drama production and distribution companies. This is seen from the fact that short dramas had a revenue of more than 138,300M USD, and global platforms such as YouTube and TikTok also adopted this pattern. This growth is mainly attributed to the demand for mobile, on-demand entertainment. 

Why Distribution Matters 

The goal is to establish a connection between your short drama and the viewers, readers, or anyone else who will be viewing it. Therefore, distribution of short dramas plays a crucial role in ensuring that the developed content reaches and engages the intended audience. Some of it depends on the selected platform, with some of the challenges being competition and ways to monetize the app. One of the most critical components for any short drama is to identify the target audience and to make sure the plan for distribution brings profit.

2: Pre-Distribution Preparation  

 Crafting a High-Quality Short Drama 

In the world of short dramas, where competition is fierce, one cannot compromise on quality. However, ensure production values are professional, including audio quality, dialogue clarity, seamless editing, and high-quality shots. Convey the information shared in the story in the simplest way possible so that it would make an impact on the target audience.

Essential Assets for Distribution 

Here are the assets that you should have before distributing your short drama:

• High-resolution final short drama (1080p or higher). 
• Horizontal and vertical posters for different platforms. 
• Trailers and promotional short film clips. 
• Subtitles or closed caption files in SRT format for the global viewers. 

Legal and Technical Considerations 

Register for copyrights and familiarize yourself with licensing procedures to prevent the theft of your original ideas. Justify the fact that all the music or songs, visuals, and any other elements used in your short drama are yours or you are legally allowed to use them. Get acquainted with the concept of short drama distribution rights so that one does not cross the acceptable bounds in the legal aspect.

3: Choosing the Right Distribution Channels  

Film Festivals and Competitions 

Cannes Shorts and Sundance may offer specific advantages such as credibility, networking opportunities, and potential buyers for your movie. We recommend searching for niche festivals that align with your short drama’s theme to enhance your exposure.

Streaming Platforms 

• YouTube: a platform that provides an audience of billions, certain earning opportunities, and short drama distribution but has a lot of competition. 
• Vimeo On Demand: It is suitable for quality short movie delivery and has few people in its network. 
• Amazon Prime Video Direct: Provides access to Prime subscribers. 
• Specialized Platforms: Stations of short film distribution exclusively utilize platforms like ShortsTV, Indie-Clips, Red Chain and Reelshort. 

Social Media Platforms 

Leverage TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts for viral short drama distribution. These are the platforms suitable for targeting the young audience and best at creating some natural buzz.

Niche Platforms and Aggregators 

Gruvi, Gudsho, and Short of the Week are such platforms that target the particular demographics; thus, the content has a better chance of being noticed.

Television and Broadcast Networks 

There is a way to search for opportunities in developing short dramas on the OTT platforms and TV channels, like in China, where such content gains much attention. 

4: Marketing and Promotion Strategies  

Building a Strong Online Presence 

Make a page or a landing page design for your short drama. Teasers, behind-the-scenes moments, and a newsletter that can be shared on social media pages.

Leveraging Influencers and PR 

Work with the popular bloggers and writers from the film domain to expand your reach. Create an attractive package that should include the synopsis, the still images, and the interviews made with the director. 

Paid Advertising and Community Engagement 

Advertise on social media platforms and specifically post them on the social networks Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Reddit and Letterboxd should also be used to engage short movie fans to create a target audience.

Cross-Promotion and Collaborations 

Partner with brands, schools, and cultural organizations for cross-promotion. Specifically, working with celebrities and other professionals in the short drama field can greatly enhance your short drama’s distribution.

5: Monetization Strategies for Short Dramas  

Direct Monetization 

Sell your short drama on platforms like Vimeo On Demand, Amazon Prime, or Gumroad. Offer exclusive content to attract subscribers.

Licensing and Sales 

Sell distribution rights to broadcasters, OTT platforms, short drama distributor companies, and educational institutions. Licensing deals can provide a steady income stream.

Conclusion  

A short drama for distribution across the world needs proper planning from before the shooting to its promotion afterward. Therefore, be careful to use the correct platforms to reach targeted viewers, how to interact with the target market, and how to diversify income sources to get the best out of short dramas. Never give up on short-form content as it evolves; be patient and find creative ways to use it.

For short drama distribution consulting or to buy short drama broadcasting rights, please contact our team for short drama distribution services.