🎤 In Conversation with Antonio Grigolini - France Télévisions


Enjoy a series of interviews with the people who support us every year. Today, Antonio GrigoliniHead of Documentaries at France Télévisions, shared his thoughts with us.

Antonio Grigolini, Head of Documentaries at France Télévisions

Antonio Grigolini, Head of Documentaries at France Télévisions

Sunny Side of the Doc is a strategic hub for international meetings and initiatives. As a long-time partner, what are your expectations for this year’s edition?


 I look forward to being surprised and inspired by the projects, the energy, and the ideas of the participants.

 

At Sunny Side of the Doc, openness to new forms of storytelling will be at the heart of the 36th edition. What new directions is your group currently exploring in documentary storytelling?


Our ambition is quite simple: to fully embrace the incredible versatility of the documentary genre — fearlessly and without taboos — in order to be both useful and surprising.

 

Launched at Sunny Side of the Doc in 2019, the Global Doc network brings together several international public broadcasters, including France Télévisions, with the goal of supporting globally relevant documentary co-productions. What is your assessment of this initiative since its inception, and what developments or updates can we expect this year?


We’re very pleased with the success and impact of Global Doc, and proud to have helped build long-term, trust-based relationships. The rollout is ongoing, with more partners soon to be announced. In response to financial pressures, international public broadcasters are strengthening their international co-production strategies — a trend that reinforces the momentum of Global Doc.

 

France Télévisions recently dedicated a full day to exploring artificial intelligence. How do you assess its potential impact on the documentary world — in terms of storytelling, production, or ethics?


It’s difficult to summarize such a vast topic in just a few words. We remain highly vigilant about its impact on the industry, especially regarding copyright and the rights of authors, and we’re committed to maintaining transparency with our audiences. Ultimately, AI compels us to take our responsibilities as a public service broadcaster even more seriously.

 

What kinds of projects or international collaborations are you looking to foster this year at Sunny Side of the Doc?


We’re looking for ambitious international collaborations that offer some level of exclusivity. We’re always on the lookout for innovative and unexpected storytelling.