Ex Oriente Series

Ex Oriente Series at Sunny Side

For the third consecutive year, Sunny Side of the Doc hosted the first session of Ex Oriente Series in La Rochelle, from 20 to 26 June 2025.
Part of the wider Ex Oriente Film Documentary Laboratory organised by the Institute of Documentary Film (IDF), the initiative brings together emerging filmmakers and producers from Central and Eastern Europe to develop both feature-length documentaries (Ex Oriente Features) and docuseries projects (Ex Oriente Series).
Together, these two strands form a comprehensive international training programme offering creative mentorship, industry insight, and access to key documentary markets.

A Comprehensive and Immersive Training

Ex Oriente Series is designed to foster, cultivate and nourish emerging documentary talents and producers. Structured across three modules held throughout Europe, the laboratory combines residential and online sessions to provide participants with in-depth mentorship, practical tools, and access to key decision-makers.

1st Session: June 2025 [Sunny Side of the Doc]
2nd Session: October 2025
3rd Session & East Doc Forum: March 2026

During the first session, hosted in La Rochelle, participants took part in an intensive week exploring the art and business of documentary series creation.
The programme opened with project presentations and a keynote by Ruth Reid on the foundations of episodic storytelling. Highlights included a lecture by Chris Westendorp on developing character arcs across episodes and a case study led by Lucio Mollica on showrunning Vietnam: The Birth of a Nation.

Directors focused on character development through the I Am My Character writing exercise, while producers worked on challenges related to financing, digital-first strategies, and international co-productions.
Each team also benefited from tailored one-on-one meetings with experienced tutors and participated in networking activities as part of Sunny Side of the Doc’s marketplace.

Selected projects

The 2025 selection featured projects exploring intimate personal stories and major global issues across a range of regions.

Hijacked Life traces the turbulent path of a Soviet hijacker seeking redemption.
Grandpa Was a Genius reflects on the legacy and burden of musical heritage.
World Divided travels through cities marked by conflict in search of healing.
Justice as Legalised Terror investigates how justice systems can be turned against citizens.
When the Wind Blows follows workers driving Europe’s green transition from within.

Access to Decision-Makers and Market Opportunities

By integrating this first module into Sunny Side of the Doc, the training gains an unprecedented strategic dimension. Participants had the opportunity to:

Pitch their project to influential industry professionals (broadcasters, platforms, funders, international producers).
Benefit from a tailored program including lectures and masterclasses.
Access conferences, workshops, and roundtables led by specialists in the documentary industry.
Receive personalized support to refine and structure their funding strategy.