Sunny academy

A 100% Doc Residency

The Sunny Academy is Sunny Side of the Doc’s support program for emerging documentary creators. This new residency provides a structured framework, practical tools, and an international network to help creators establish their place on the global documentary stage.

An Extended Format for 2026

The Sunny Academy 2026 will bring together five creative teams, each working on a documentary project in development.
Guided by mentors, participants will benefit from tailored support before and during Sunny Side of the Doc.

The residency will last ten days in La Rochelle, with six days of preparation before the market and four days during the event.

The program in development will include workshops, roundtables, case studies, and both individual and group mentorship, complemented by online follow-ups and personalized project assessments.

Main goals

Navigating the international market

Decode the market dynamics, identify key players, and learn how to position projects effectively at the international level.

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Understanding documentary financing

Analyze funding sources, identify the right contacts, and mobilize resources suited to each project.

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Developing your project

Advance your documentary through tailored support, combining workshops, case studies, and mentorship with recognized experts.

 

 

Selection Process

  • For its 2026 edition, the Sunny Academy will bring together a pool of creative teams carefully selected internally.
  • The chosen projects will share a similar stage of development and a common ambition: to develop a documentary with high international potential.
  •  This selection will draw on the international network of Sunny Side of the Doc, ensuring a strong, complementary cohort that represents the new voices of the global documentary scene.

what to expect?

This year, Sunny Academy is making its debut at Sunny Side of the Doc with a customized pathway for a selected group of projects. The 2025 cohort, named Quai des Talents, will be chosen through our Project Observatory as well as from training programs hosted at the market.

These projects will receive exclusive support on the international market, with dedicated sessions covering key topics:

  • Project Development & Storytelling
  • Financial & Co-Production Strategies
  • Distribution & Market Access
  • Pitching & Presentation
  • Industry Networking & Career Growth

Our initiatives

Find out more about all the Sunny Academy activities.

Doc Network

Doc

Network

Sunny Side of the Doc accueille plusieurs programmes de formation et propose une initiative de bourses pour les jeunes talents, leur offrant un accès privilégié au marché international du documentaire.

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Doc Masters

Doc

Masters

Sunny Side of the Doc met à profit 35 ans d’expertise au service de la communauté internationale, en proposant une large gamme d’activités : mentorat personnalisé, organisation de forums de pitch, programmes de formation, et bien plus encore.

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Doc Residency

Doc

Residency

Cette année, la Doc Residency fera ses premiers pas à Sunny Side of the Doc avec un parcours sur mesure dédié à une sélection de projets issus de notre réseau de jeunes talents. Programme détaillé à venir.

our partners

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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
Register

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!

read more
read more

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.

contact us
contact us

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!

contact us
contact us

timeline

Save the dates

Before 2025
Sunny side of the doc
3 Juin

Before 2025

Le Before fait son grand retour le 3 juin prochain ! Conçu pour rassembler la communauté du documentaire pendant une journée avant le marché, l’événement en ligne fournira aux nouveaux participants, aux pitcheurs ainsi qu’à tous les participants accrédités, les conseils dont ils auront besoin pour réussir leur marché en juin prochain.

> En savoir plus

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025
Sunny side of the doc
23 juin

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025

Rejoignez la 36e édition du Sunny Side of the Doc, le marché international du documentaire qui se tiendra du 23 au 26 juin 2025 à La Rochelle.

> Plus d’infos.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2026
Sunny side of the doc
22-25 Juin 2026

Sunny Side of the Doc 2026

Participez à la 37ème édition de Sunny Side of the Doc, le marché international du documentaire qui se tiendra du 22 au 24 juin 2026, à La Rochelle.

Jun 2025
3 Juin
23 juin
Jun 2026
22-25 Juin 2026

agenda

Want to discover the highlights of this 35th edition?

Keynotes, channel lineups, pitch sessions, panels and conferences, Meet the Executives, screenings, networking events, happy hours... Have a glimpse into the #SSD24 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.

Innovation WIP, XR and immersive content

Sunny side of the doc 2024 will continue to expand and enhance the innovation section of its programme for industry professionals.

This year, for the first time, five creative teams will be selected as part of the Innovation WIP call for entries, and will benefit from tailor-made support to help them develop their project.

The call for entries is now closed.

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.

l'agenda

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lundi 23 Juin23/06
mardi 24 Juin24/06
mercredi 25 Juin25/06
jeudi 26 Juin26/06
Filtres

TYPE DE SÉANCES :

Tout sélectionner
Tout déselectionner

Salles :

Tout sélectionner
Tout déselectionner
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Séances et événements sur invitation uniquement.

Toutes les références horaires sont définies sur l'heure d'été d'Europe centrale.

Résultats pour la recherche ""

lundi 23 Juin
09h00 - 10h00 60 min
Sunny Room
Breakfast – German & Chilean Delegations
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Sunny Room
Networking Times
lundi 23 Juin
10h00 - 10h30 30 min
Agora
Antonia Pellegrino – Opening Keynote
Agora
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
10h30 - 11h30 60 min
Side Room
Workshop From Local to Global Storytelling
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Side Room
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
10h45 - 11h45 60 min
Agora
Global Doc: Will A.I. transform international coproductions?
Agora
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
11h30 - 12h30 60 min
Conference Room
Sunny Innovation Lab Showcase 1/2
Conference Room
Pitch Sessions
lundi 23 Juin
12h00 - 13h00 60 min
Auditorium
Meet NHK: “Run for the Next 100 years”
Auditorium
Lineup & Showcase
lundi 23 Juin
13h00 - 14h30 90 min
Lounge
LatAm Content Meeting, São Paulo City Hall & SPcine Lunch
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Lounge
Networking Times
lundi 23 Juin
14h00 - 15h00 60 min
Conference Room
Impact garanti (quand les femmes prennent la caméra)
Conference Room
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
14h15 - 15h00 45 min
Agora
Meet Al Jazeera Media Network
Agora
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
14h30 - 15h00 30 min
Auditorium
ZDF Studios Micro Showcase
Auditorium
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
15h00 - 15h45 45 min
Sunny Room
Meet the Buyers
Sunny Room
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
15h30 - 17h00 90 min
Auditorium
Science Pitch
Auditorium
Pitch Sessions
lundi 23 Juin
15h30 - 17h00 90 min
Agora
New Voices Pitch
Agora
Pitch Sessions
lundi 23 Juin
16h00 - 17h00 60 min
Conference Room
Immersive Destinations: New Horizons for XR Content
Conference Room
Industry Talks
lundi 23 Juin
17h30 - 19h00 90 min
Auditorium
Lineup France Télévisions
Auditorium
Lineup & Showcase
lundi 23 Juin
19h00 - 23h00 240 min
Others
Screening & Cocktail – NHK Event: Run for the Next 100 Years
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Others
Special Events
lundi 23 Juin
19h00 - 20h00 60 min
Others
Happy Oysters Hour
Others
Networking Times
lundi 23 Juin
19h00 - 21h00 120 min
Others
Happy Hour INA – Documentary creation & meetings
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Others
Networking Times
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lock-closed

Séances et événements sur invitation uniquement.

Toutes les références horaires sont définies sur l'heure d'été d'Europe centrale.

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!

  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (5)
  • Paul Pelletier (4)
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (3)
  • 5T5A9374©hugolafitte
  • 5T5A9393©hugolafitte
  • Paul Pelletier
  • 5T5A9466©hugolafitte
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (2)
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (4)
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (6)
  • Jean-Francois Augé - Studio Ouest (8)
sunny side of the doc