#SSD26 > 22-24 June 2026
call for projects
sunny side of the doc 2026
Looking for partners and financing for your next documentary or nonfiction project?
Submit your project to Sunny Side of the Doc’s Meet & Match.
Applications are open until 24 April.
call for
projects
meet & match
Every year in La Rochelle, Sunny Side of the Doc brings together over 2,000 professionals from more than 70 countries, including 260 leading international decision makers. In 2026, Sunny Side of the Doc introduces Meet & Match, an optimised market format designed to accelerate partnerships and deals.
120 selected projects, which are matched based on market interest, receive a tailored schedule of 15-minute meetings with commissioners, distributors, and alternative funding sources. Every meeting is outcome-focused for concrete results: sales, co-production agreements, financing, rights acquisitions and distribution commitments.
what are we looking for?
The documentary industry is evolving rapidly, shaped by new platforms, new funding models and changing audience behaviours. We are looking for strong, internationally relevant documentary projects that are ready to engage with the global market and benefit from targeted business meetings.
Meet & Match is designed for projects that are ready to enter active conversations with decision makers. Whether seeking co-production partners, financing, sales representation, or distribution opportunities, selected teams should come prepared for focused discussions and concrete outcomes.
Our goal is to create a market environment where the right projects meet the right partners, enabling collaborations that will bring the next generation of documentary stories to audiences around the world.
who will I meet?
- Commissioners (Broadcasters & Platforms)
Meetings with international broadcasters, streaming platforms and commissioning editors looking for new documentary content.
- Alternative Funding
Opportunities to meet foundations, funds, brands and other innovative financing partners supporting documentary storytelling.
- Distributors
Meetings with distributors to explore sales strategies, pre-sales opportunities and international distribution partnerships.
can I choose who I want to meet?
Decision makers choose which projects they want to meet based on their interests and priorities. This ensures that every meeting is relevant and focused on opportunities that can lead to real collaborations, co-productions, financing, or distribution deals. Rather than projects selecting meetings, you are paired with decision makers who are genuinely excited to connect and collaborate.
are there dedicated slots for the Meet & Match?
The Meet & Match will take place during the 3-day market in the following times:
Monday 22, June: 11:00 - 13:00
Tuesday 23, June: 09:00 - 11:00 / 14:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 24, June: 09:00 - 11:00 / 14:00 - 16:00
Not all project teams will have to be available at all slots. The final Meet & Match schedule will be available on your MySunnySpace profile from the beginning of June.
what we are
looking for
Eligible projects
- Projects must meet one of the following financing criteria:
- Option A — 30% of the budget secured, evidenced by a Letter of Commitment (LOC) from one or more third-party partners (broadcaster, platform, commercial agent, support fund, foundation, crowdfunding, museum, brand, etc.)
- Option B — A development deal in place with a key broadcaster.
- All talents, established or otherwise, can submit their projects: directors, producers, authors, content creators and storytellers
- Projects in all stages. We do not encourage projects that have finished shooting or are in post-production
- All formats and genres accepted. Series and digital-first formats are especially welcomed
- Trailer / teaser must be available
- Applications from all countries are welcome
- Project that have been pitched in other markets or festivals or projects that have been submitted or part of previous editions of Sunny Side of the Doc are eligible to apply
- A producer/production company can submit multiple projects
Project assessment
Projects will be evaluated and selected by a jury of industry professionals based on the following criteria:
- Idea/Concept: originality & relevance
- Storytelling & narrative potential
- International & market potential
- Territory & context
- Diversity & sustainability
what's
your pitching
journey
- SUBMISSION
- There is no limit on the number of projects that can be submitted. You can edit your project until the deadline. Submissions close 24 April 2026.
- SELECTION
- 120 projects will be selected to take part in the Meet & Match meetings.
- COMMITMENT
- Selected projects must agree to register for Sunny Side of the Doc 2026 (if you have only paid for a Meet & Match submission, you will be required to buy your Market Pass)
- MEET & MATCH
- Selected projects will be scheduled for 15-minute meetings with commissioners, distributors, and alternative funders. The meetings take place in two-hour meeting blocks with 25 tables, allowing up to 200 meetings simultaneously per block.
- PUBLICATION
- Information on selected projects will be published in the Sunny Side of the Doc resources available to buyers and registered participants.
PROJECTS OBSERVATORY
- Sunny Side of the Doc's commitment goes far beyond Meet & Match — we want to keep celebrating your achievements long after the market. The Projects Observatory is our way of staying connected and sharing your successes with the international documentary community.
- As part of your selection, you commit to responding to our follow-up survey(s) to help us track your progress and measure the impact of your participation, and to crediting Sunny Side of the Doc where relevant.
how to submit
Choose the way that works best for you to submit your project.
option 1
accreditation + project submission access
Buy your Market Pass first, at the early bird rate before 10 April 2026, and then, via the event platform, submit your project with the “Project submission" purchase option.
option 2
meet & match submission
Submit your project first with the "Project submission". When your project has been selected, purchase your Market Pass for the 3-day Market.
where to submit?
From our dedicated page, choose your product and access the platform that meets your needs.
submissions close 24 april 2026
why pitch at sunny side?
With 300+ top-level international decision-makers in attendance, representing leading broadcasters, streamers, foundations, sales agents and other funders looking for impactful stories, pitching at sunny side is a unique opportunity to reach your future partners.
submissions close 24 april 2026
