Viral ‘Open Door’ YouTube Short to be Adapted Into Feature, Earns Six-Figure Development Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

Article excerpt

Kevin Cate's "Open Door," a sci-fi YouTube short that has amassed nearly 15 million views across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, is being adapted into a feature film through a six-figure development deal. The move reflects Hollywood's growing appetite for content from digital creators with built-in audiences, following the theatrical success of YouTube-born horror films like "Obsession" and "Backrooms." The deal signals a shift in how studios source IP, increasingly looking beyond traditional screenwriting channels to tap into creators who've already proven their ability to capture millions of viewers.