Official Selection

This year, 42 projects from 22 countries have the privilege of competing for the Best Pitch Prize. The selected project holders will pitch in seven thematic pitch sessions, all supported by key industry partners.

sunny side 2025

Opening New Routes to Storytelling

In a global landscape where the audiovisual creation sector is facing unprecedented challenges, the documentary industry needs a new compass and a change of narratives, visions and conversations. The 36th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc seeks to open new routes to storytelling where international partnerships and collaboration breed resilience and creativity in a shifting market.

In 2025, the international documentary marketplace will reassert its central role as a true hub for all industry professionals. The next edition will foster the convergence of collective visions and lay the foundations for a new chapter in the industry, driven by a shared, collaborative dynamic.

what to expect?

  • 2 calls
  • 300+ decision-makers
  • 70+ industry sessions
  • 1000+ companies registered
  • 2000+ total attendees

Calls for projects

The calls for the 36th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc are now closed.

Call for projects
Pitch sessions

Call for projects

Pitch sessions

Pitch your project to 300+ decision-makers in Science, History, Arts & Entertainment, Nature & Environment, Global Issues, New Voices, or Impact Campaigns.

Call for applications
Sunny Innovation Lab

Call for applications

Sunny Innovation Lab

Join Sunny Innovation Lab, our training program for non-linear documentaries—podcasts, video games, immersive creations, and more—offering tailored development for six selected projects.

decision makers
expected in 2025

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Mapping the future

The sector has been through deep transformations over the past thirty-five years, affecting the professions, financing, distribution and modes of consumption of documentaries.

As a result and for its 35th anniversary edition, Sunny Side is inviting the international documentary community to discuss the future of our ecosystem and the future of the documentary genre in order to shape it together.

In search of answers

How will the major functions (production, distribution, broadcasting) continue to evolve, what are the emerging professions of tomorrow, and how is AI shaking up the industry? How will storytelling evolve? And what stories should we tell in a world living in an era of climate change, conflict, geopolitical tension and growing inequality?

These questions will run through Sunny Side of the Doc and will undoubtedly feed the projects selected in our 7 pitch categories: Science, History, Arts and Culture, Nature & Conservation, Global Issues, New Voices and Impact Campaigns.

Register

register as

delegate

Grab your Market Pass and participate in the market from June 23 to 26. It includes access to all activities, conferences, and workshops organized during the market in La Rochelle.

register as

exhibitor

Exhibit at Sunny Side of the Doc! Choose the type of stand that suits your the most! Classic stands from 6m² to 18m², tailor-made stands, meeting tables, sellers’ lounge tables, up to you!

register as

Decision maker

Meet 800+ international content producers and 200+ distributors across a wide range of networking events, a unique opportunity to find hidden gem and develop potential business opportunities.

register as

Journalist

Our market is essential for most of international channels and platforms as it is often used as a tool for official announcements. Be the first to reveal the latest news!

timeline

Save the dates

Opening of the SSD x LCM call for projects
Sunny Side of the Doc
24 September 2024

Opening of the SSD x LCM call for projects

Opening date of the Sunny Side of the Doc x LatAm Content Meeting call for projects.

> More info.

Closing of the SSD x LCM call for projects
Sunny Side of the Doc
5 December 2024

Closing of the SSD x LCM call for projects

Closing date: Project submissions for the LCM x SSD pitch sessions will be accepted until Thursday, December 5th, 2024, 12pm CET

> More info.

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications opens
Sunny Side of the Doc
16 December

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications opens

Submit your non-linear documentary creation to the Sunny Innovation Lab!

> More info

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects opening
Sunny Side of the Doc
17 December

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects opening

Submit your project to the Sunny Side of the Doc 2025 pitch sessions.

> More info

Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions at LatAm Content Meeting
Sunny Side of the Doc
10-12 March 2025

Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions at LatAm Content Meeting

Join the International Meeting for documentary and Factual Content in Latin America from 10 to 12 March 2025 in Rio de Janeiro.

> More info.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects closing
Sunny Side of the Doc
25 March

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects closing

Registration for Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions closes.

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications closes
Sunny Side of the Doc
25 March

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications closes

Last day to submit your non-linear documentary creation to the Sunny Innovation Lab.

Before 2025
Sunny Side of the Doc
3 June

Before 2025

Designed to bring together the documentary community for one day (June 3th) before the market, the online event will provide newcomers, pitchers, and all accredited participants with the guidance they need to succeed in the marketplace in June.

> More info

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025
Sunny Side of the Doc
23-26 June 2025

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025

Join 36th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc, the international marketplace for documentary taking place on 23-26 June, 2025 in La Rochelle.

> More info.

Sep 2024
24 September 2024
Dec 2024
5 December 2024
16 December
17 December
Mar 2025
10-12 March 2025
25 March
25 March
Jun 2025
3 June
23-26 June 2025

agenda

Want to discover the highlights of this 36th edition?

Keynotes, channel lineups, pitch sessions, panels and conferences, Meet the Executives, screenings, networking events, happy hours... Have a glimpse into the #SSD25 programme without further delay!

Agenda

Focus on Australia

Australia has a special place at Sunny Side of the Doc. Highlighted in 2023 through a number of dedicated panels (ABC, SBS, Screen Australia and AIDC) at the market in June, Australia will be again in the spotlight for the 35th anniversary edition of Sunny Side of the Doc.

A programme will be entirely dedicated to Australia, co-produced with French and Australian institutions and organisations. This focus-event will notably include an Australian pavilion, matchmaking sessions with producers from the country, and will welcome Australian industry professionals from the First Nation association.

Sunny Innovation Lab

Sunny Innovation Lab (formerly Innovation WIP) is a unique training program for non-linear documentary projects such as podcasts, VR, AR, immersive installations, AI, video games, and more.

Six selected projects will benefit from tailored mentoring, industry insights, and personalized guidance to help creators develop their projects and prepare for international exposure.

why attend?

Whether you are a producer, buyer or distributor of factual content, seize your chance to:

- Establish new contacts and build coproduction relationships;
- Explore key trends in the booming international factual market;
- Pitch and develop new documentary projects;
- Discover new talents and find new format ideas;
- Acquire content and/or strengthen your catalogue.

2,000+

participants

300

international
decision makers

1,000

companies

60+

countries

useful info

The 34th edition of the international marketplace for documentary will take place from 19 to 22 June 2023 in La Rochelle at Espace Encan, Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle.

how to move?

Walking: From the Espace Encan, reach the city centre in just 5 minutes.

"Le Passeur": Electric boat between the Old Port and the Médiathèque Michel Crépeau. Specific free access with your SSD badge

Yelo bikes: City's self-services bicycles. Specific free access with your SSD badge.

Taxi: Reservations available at the reception desk.

results for the search ""

Monday 23 June
09:00 - 10:00 am 60 min
Sunny Room
Breakfast – German & Chilean Delegations
lock-closed
Sunny Room
Networking Times
Monday 23 June
10:00 - 10:30 am 30 min
Agora
Agora
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
10:45 - 11:45 am 60 min
Agora
Agora
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
11:30 - 12:30 pm 60 min
Conference Room
Conference Room
Pitch Sessions
Monday 23 June
12:00 - 01:00 pm 60 min
Auditorium
Meet NHK: “Run for the Next 100 years”
Auditorium
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
02:15 - 03:00 pm 45 min
Agora
Agora
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
02:30 - 03:00 pm 30 min
Auditorium
ZDF Studios Micro Showcase
Auditorium
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
03:00 - 03:45 pm 45 min
Sunny Room
Sunny Room
Industry Talks
Monday 23 June
03:30 - 05:00 pm 90 min
Auditorium
Auditorium
Pitch Sessions
Monday 23 June
03:30 - 05:00 pm 90 min
Agora
Agora
Pitch Sessions
Monday 23 June
05:30 - 07:00 pm 90 min
Auditorium
Auditorium
Lineup & Showcase
Monday 23 June
07:00 - 11:00 pm 240 min
Others
Screening & Cocktail – NHK Event: Run for the Next 100 Years
lock-closed
Others
Special Events
Monday 23 June
07:00 - 09:00 pm 120 min
Others
Others
Networking Times
lock-closed

Sessions and events by invitation only.

All time references are set on Central European Summertime

official selection

This year, xx projects from xx countries will had the privilege to compete for the best pitch prize in each category!
Discover the selected projects now!

official selections &palmares

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sunny side of the doc

Gallery

You may be wondering what Sunny Side of the Doc looks like? Take a look at the pictures below!

sunny side of the doc