This ensures that Sunny Side of the Doc Global Pitch is a unique opportunity to:

• Reach a record number of highly targeted international decision-makers who are an invaluable source of advice and comments for each selected project – the 15-minute pitch presentation is split into seven-minute video pitch including a trailer, and an eight-minute Q&A;
• Develop pitch strategy skills through online mentoring provided by experienced professionals;
• Benefit from three pre-arranged individual meetings with decision-makers, to help advance the projects pitched;
• Source new documentary concepts in development, which have a politically- and socially-engaged message and are of public interest.

An independent jury will chose the best pitched project for a prize backed by our sponsors (list of awards to be confirmed). The winning creative team will automatically be invited to present their project in La Rochelle in June 2021 (two accreditations offered).

During two days of pitch sessions (2^nd – 3^rd February), a selection of 12 investigative and current affairs projects which help us understand the present-day world will be presented to a panel of top-level decision-makers. Each pitch will be followed by a live five-minute Q&A session, and will continue via pre-arranged one-to-one meetings with specific buyers and commissioning editors for initiating concrete creative and financial discussions. 

Those already confirmed their participation or who have shown an interest:  France Télévisions, Arte France, Knowledge Network, SVT, YLE, BBC 4, NHK, Autentic, MDR, SWR, WGBH, WNET, Terra Mater, Sandbox, Little Dot Studios, Impact Partners, International Documentary Association…

Each session will be held twice during the day so as to reach decision-makers in all time zones: the morning (UTC+1/CET) will be for industry professionals in Asia, Middle East and Europe, and the evening (UTC+1/CET) will be for industry professionals in the Americas and Europe. The same applies for the Q&A sessions and one-to-one meetings.

Registration and payment are made directly via this online form.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Your project can be at any stage in development, from initial to final. You must be able to demonstrate that you have obtained at least 10% of the production budget and a financial backer by presenting a letter of commitment (LOC) from a broadcaster, distributer, support fund, foundation, crowdfunding or other.
• We accept entries from all over the world – including emerging markets, as long as they are written in English.
• You must provide either a link to the trailer (2 to 4 minutes long), video extracts (15 minutes max.), photographs, a mood board or any other alternative visual support which best illustrates your project.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

You are required to prepare and provide the following information in the entry form:

• Title, logline, project format
• Synopsis (300 characters, with spaces) pitch your project in one paragraph
• Method (700 characters, with spaces)
• HD image of project (300 dpi, landscape orientation)
• Link to trailer, video clip or mood-board with subtitles in English
• .pdf file including: budget or finance plan, letter(s) of commitment, long-term approach, details of point of contact, biography of auteurs/directors;
• Overview of impact strategy to be developed around the documentary project as a vehicle for action and change (500 characters, with spaces).

PLEASE NOTE: Any information submitted is likely to appear in the Global Pitch Digital Resources. Please check to ensure your application does not contain any spelling or typing mistakes or any other errors.

THE EXTRA: Once your project is completed, we request that you mention your selection for Sunny Side of the Doc Global Pitch in your credits. Our teams will provide you with the specific logo.

For any questions concerning project eligibility, please contact international@sunnysideofthedoc.com before submitting your project.