Why Attend 2026

1. A Strategic Return for the International Documentary Community

In the context of industry consolidation and structural transformation, Sunny Side of the Doc returns in 2026 to reaffirm its role as the key European market for documentary business.

2. A Market Reconfigured for Efficiency

The event adopts a streamlined three-full-day format structured around curated participation, optimized scheduling, and a focused B2B environment designed to facilitate professional exchanges and measurable outcomes.

3. A High-Level International Decision-Making Environment

Sunny Side gathers global buyers and public and private financiers, producers, sales agents, international commissioners and senior executives empowered to engage in financing and acquisition negotiations.

4. A Strategic Partnership with Documentary Campus

Documentary Campus brings over two decades of expertise in project development, international financing and market positioning. The partnership strengthens the market’s capacity to respond to evolving industry needs. 

5. A New Pitching Framework

The 2026 edition introduces one-to-one meetings designed to foster efficient discussions on editorial positioning, financing plans, co-production and distribution strategies

6. Market Intelligence Aligned with 2026–2027 Commissioning Trends

Concrete insight into current commissioning priorities across linear broadcasting, streaming platforms and hybrid models. Participants gain clarity on budget realities, editorial shifts and emerging territories. 

7. Where the Real World Gets Funded

As documentary reinvents its formats, audiences, revenues and partnerships, SSD26 builds new bridges and sparks the challenging conversations that drive real, sustainable change. Because truth-telling has never been more necessary – and this is where its future takes shape.

8. A Platform for Diverse and Emerging Talents

Sunny Side 2026 remains committed to supporting underrepresented perspectives and emerging storytellers. The market creates conditions for ethical collaboration across borders and cultures while maintaining commercial viability.

9. A Coordinated Space for Institutional and National Delegations

Funding bodies, state agencies and regional film institutions benefit from a concentrated, high-efficiency environment to showcase talent, structure partnerships and access international cooperation opportunities.

10. La Rochelle: the Place to Be

Hosted in La Rochelle, the market benefits from an attractive seaside location and a feel-good atmosphere that facilitates direct interaction and relationship-building beyond transactional meetings.