Combining cinematic craft, cultural storytelling, and social-native innovation, the London-based project bridges the gap between film and the feeds.
LONDON – Filmmaker and creative director Gerald Sagoe is developing Still Loading, the first premium vertical series, a high-production, story-driven format built specifically for the vertical screen. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign surpassing its funding goal by 140% and the rapid growth of an online creative community of over 20,000 filmmakers and fans, Sagoe is now inviting brand partners, co-producers, and distributors to join the next phase of development.
Blending the emotional depth of cinema with the immediacy and rhythm of social media, Still Loading explores ambition, hustle culture, and creative burnout among millennial and Gen Z creators. The series merges vertical storytelling with cinematic production values, featuring theatre talent, cultural icons, and digital creators in a format designed for audiences who live, create, and connect on their phones.
“We’re not just adapting cinema for social, we’re evolving it,” says Sagoe. “Still Loading is for a generation that lives vertically. It delivers the same emotional and visual ambition as premium streaming content, but reimagined for the spaces where stories actually live today.”
Drawing from his years producing campaigns and branded storytelling at Sky, Sagoe conceived the project after recognizing the disconnect between traditional film models and the way younger audiences consume stories.
“Attention may be fragmented, but the hunger for meaning and craft hasn’t disappeared,” Sagoe explains. “Creators like me who’ve lived in both cinematic and social worlds understand both the art and the algorithm.”
Inspired by the creator-led power shifts seen in livestreaming and short-form media, Sagoe sees Still Loading as part of a cultural revolution in visual storytelling.
“Just like Kai Cenat redefined streaming by knowing his audience and building community, filmmakers now have the same opportunity,” Sagoe adds. “We can build worlds, connect directly, and let the platforms come to us.”
Currently in post-production, the cinematic proof-of-concept for Still Loading is slated to debut in 2026, with early interest from production partners in the UK, US, and Africa. The ensemble is expected to reflect London’s creative underground, featuring a mix of rising theatre actors, television talent, and digital-first voices with strong cultural influence.
View the official sizzle reel and teaser images here:
“This is a cultural moment,” Sagoe commented. “Just like the early YouTube era gave birth to a new kind of storyteller, vertical storytelling is about to launch the next generation and Still Loading is leading that charge.”
About Gerald Sagoe (https://www.geraldsagoe.com/)
Gerald Sagoe is a London-based filmmaker and creative director whose work spans film, branded content, and culture-driven storytelling. A former Sky producer, Sagoe is known for merging cinematic craft with social innovation, telling stories that live at the intersection of culture, technology, and human connection.