Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 8 hrs ago
Chinese Micro-Dramas Gain Viewers and Industry Interest in Europe
Chinese-style micro-dramas are gaining ground in Europe, where short, tightly plotted episodes are usually made for vertical phone screens.
In France, several micro-drama apps ranked among the most downloaded apps this summer, and subscriptions and in-app purchases topped $5 million in July, a record.
French producer Guillaume Sagnol developed the Duanju viewing app after finding that his own social-media dramas did not earn enough to support further work.
He says China helped establish a workable model for making and earning money from this format.
The growing audience has also drawn attention from Europe’s screen industry, with events in Lille and Cannes featuring micro-dramas this year.
At a summit in Paris, Chinese, French and British industry members discussed cooperation on storytelling, artificial intelligence and reaching audiences across cultures.
Sagnol hopes joint productions will connect French and Chinese storytelling and help bring works from both countries to viewers.
Chinese micro-dramas are attracting more viewers in Europe and drawing interest from the European television industry.
In July, subscriptions and in-app purchases for micro-drama apps in France exceeded $5 million, a record, according to a report cited by China News Service.
Industry events in France have included discussions and business meetings focused on micro-dramas and vertical-screen content.
At a Paris summit, Chinese, French and British industry professionals discussed cooperation in production, artificial intelligence and cross-cultural distribution.
French producer Guillaume Saugier is developing an app and a wider network to distribute micro-dramas and promote French original works.
- Who
- Chinese and European micro-drama professionals, including French producer Guillaume Saugier, are involved.
- What
- Chinese micro-dramas are gaining European viewers and attracting interest from the television industry.
- When
- The article was published on November 8, 2026; it also reports developments during 2026.
- Where
- France and Europe, including Paris, Lille and Cannes.
- Why
- The sources say Chinese micro-dramas offer a developed production and commercial model, while European industry professionals see opportunities for new content and cooperation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Saugier began making and uploading short films.
Saugier began making vertical-screen serials for social media.
Micro-dramas from China and the United States were discussed at a television festival in Lille.
Micro-drama app subscriptions and in-app purchases in France exceeded $5 million, according to a report cited in the article.
The Cannes television festival included sessions on micro-dramas and vertical-screen content, as well as business meetings for producers and buyers.
Industry professionals from China, France and other countries met at a micro-drama summit in Paris.
- French micro-drama app spending
- More than $5 million in subscriptions and in-app purchases in July 2026
- Summit
- 2026 China-Europe Micro-Drama Summit, Paris
- Cannes event
- Micro-drama and vertical-content sessions and business meetings in October 2026
- Participants
- Professionals from China, France and the United Kingdom
- Saugier's app
- Duanju
1 source
What people are saying
If cinema was invented by France, then micro-dramas were invented by China.
China not only developed this format, but also made it more widely seen, built it systematically, and made it commercially profitable.
China proposed a way of producing micro-dramas, as well as a method for making this format commercially viable.
I hope France can seize this new momentum and build a fruitful and creative cultural exchange and cooperation relationship with China around these new forms of storytelling and creation.