The Storyteller Universe is a global film festival founded by filmmaker Venkat Sai Gunda and based in New York City, which celebrates diverse forms of cinema and storytelling. The festival operates on a quarterly submission model that culminates in an annual in-person festival and awards ceremony. It aims to uplift independent voices and provide a platform for films driven by emotion, purpose, and originality. Beginning with its 2026 edition, The Storyteller Universe Film Festival will introduce "Vertical Storytelling" as an official award category, recognizing narrative works created specifically for a vertical frame.