{"id":11557,"date":"2025-06-26T16:20:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sunnysideofthedoc.com\/?post_type=news&p=11557"},"modified":"2025-06-26T16:20:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:20:30","slug":"sunny-side-of-the-doc-2025-a-shifting-edition-charting-new-routes-to-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.sunnysideofthedoc.com\/news\/sunny-side-of-the-doc-2025-a-shifting-edition-charting-new-routes-to-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: a shifting edition charting new routes to storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: a shifting edition charting new routes to storytelling<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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La Rochelle, June 2<\/span>6<\/span>, 202<\/span>5<\/span><\/span> - <\/span><\/span>Sunny Side of the Doc<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong>,<\/span><\/span> the international<\/span><\/span> professional<\/span> <\/span>market dedicated to linear and non-linear documentary content, concludes its 3<\/span>6<\/span>th edition today (June 2<\/span>3<\/span>-2<\/span>6<\/span>, La Rochelle, France) and announces the winners of the seven pitch sessions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\u00a9 Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Aug\u00e9 - Studio Ouest<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Over four days, the market gathered <\/span>2100<\/span><\/b> participants from 60 countries, over 1000 companies, 85 exhibitors, and 260 international decision-makers<\/span><\/b> including major broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, financiers, and museums from around the world. This year\u2019s edition saw a strong international presence, with<\/span> 32 notable delegations<\/span><\/b> from Africa, China, Brazil, Canada, and Spain. Archives<\/span> companies were also in the spotlight, with a significant number of archival content exhibitors actively engaging in market discussions and activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year also saw a <\/span>significant increase in broadcaster engagement<\/span><\/b>, with a strengthened presence from key players such as the <\/span>BBC, Channel 4, Mediaset, National Geographic, TG4 (Ireland), and RTP (Portugal)<\/span><\/b>, as well as long-standing North American partner <\/span>PBS<\/span><\/b>. Notably, <\/span>buyers from India (IN10 Media) and Brazil (Globoplay)<\/span><\/b> joined the event for the first time, further expanding the market\u2019s international reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aur\u00e9lie Reman, Managing Director, Sunny Side of the Doc,<\/span><\/b> says: <\/span>\"This 2025 edition exceeded all expectations. Guided by our new advisory board, we delivered a forward-thinking programme that mirrors our industry's pivots and the funding challenges\u00a0we all face. We moved beyond traditional networking to create a platform for reimagining cross-border storytelling and collaboration. In today's shifting media landscape, our documentary community's passion, activism and agility drive everything we do and elevate the Sunny Side of the Doc's international impact. I remain committed\u00a0to amplifying their authentic voices and fostering new pathways for documentary success across all markets. More than ever, every kind of support is vital to keeping our industry resilient and ambitious.\"<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition also brought focus to Brazil, in the context of the France\u2013Brazil Season 2025, celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This growing engagement with Brazil was clearly illustrated over the last four days with the launch of the third call for projects of <\/span>Global Doc<\/span><\/b>, marked by the arrival of a new partner: <\/span>TV Brasil \u2013 Empresa Brasil de Comunica\u00e7\u00e3o<\/span><\/b>. Launched at Sunny Side of the Doc in 2019, this network was established to unite public broadcasters from around the world behind ambitious, collaborative documentary initiatives. Its existing members include <\/span>France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>ZDF<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>NHK<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>PBS<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>CBC<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>SVT<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>Channel 4<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>RAI<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>ORF<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>ABC Australia<\/span><\/b>, and now, with the addition of <\/span>TV Brasil<\/span><\/b>, the initiative extends its reach into Latin America, reinforcing a shared commitment to international cooperation in public media.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Caroline Behar, Deputy Director of International Co-Productions and Documentary Acquisitions, France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions,<\/span><\/b> and Member of EBU, <\/span><\/b>comments:<\/span> \u201cSunny Side of the Doc offers a unique place for reflection, collaboration and trust. It is the key event for international co-productions. Our international partners are always pleased to come together in La Rochelle, a one-of-a-kind market that combines warm encounters with true ambition for the projects being presented. In today\u2019s climate, the Global Doc alliance - which brings together 11 public broadcasters -\u00a0is more relevant than ever: it enables creative and financial forces to unite and bring ambitious works to life. Sunny Side supports and amplifies this collective momentum, in service of all projects.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time, the market was articulated around two thematic submits: the <\/span>Innovation Summit<\/span><\/b> and the <\/span>Archives Summit<\/span><\/b>, each offering dedicated sessions and showcases that reflected the evolving practices and ambitions of the documentary industry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme gave pride of place to <\/span>creative disruption and new formats<\/span><\/b>, with highlights including <\/span>three<\/span><\/b> standout <\/span>keynotes<\/span><\/b> from leading figures: <\/span>Dawn Porter (Director at <\/span><\/b>Trilogy Films<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>David Defendi <\/span><\/b>(President, <\/span>Genaro Studio<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>Antonia Pellegrino <\/span><\/b>(<\/span>Content and Programming Director, <\/span>Empresa Brasil de Comunica\u00e7\u00e3o).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another key moment of this edition was the session <\/span>The Big Pivot: Digital-First Documentaries<\/span><\/b>, which explored the rise of the \u201cdigital first\u201d model as YouTube cements its place as a major platform for documentaries. In a context of increasing pressure on commissioning budgets, speakers discussed the opportunities and limitations of this model within an industry undergoing rapid transformation. Moderated by <\/span>Damon Wise<\/span><\/b> (Deadline), the session featured insights from <\/span>Alex Hryniewicz<\/span><\/b> (Little Dot Studios) and <\/span>Bryony Hopkins<\/span><\/b> (Strong Watch Studios).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Programming also featured rich opportunities for industry connections and insights. The new initiative <\/span>Meet the Buyers & Commissioners sessions<\/span><\/b> offered privileged access to top international executives from broadcasters including <\/span>Channel 4<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>National Geographic<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>BBC<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>Globoplay<\/span><\/b>. The presentation of French and international editorial strategies brought together major players such as <\/span>France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>ARTE<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>TF1<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>Canal+<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>RMC D\u00e9couverte<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>RMC Story<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>M6<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>NHK<\/span><\/b>, Japan\u2019s public broadcaster. These sessions also featured the <\/span>launch of NOVO19<\/span><\/b>, a brand-new French channel.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The seven pitch sessions, always highly anticipated and a true opportunity for international co-production, gathered a<\/span> large number of professionals impressed by the quality and boldness of this year's projects.\u00a0<\/span>Find the complete list of the <\/span>2025 Pitch Sessions winners<\/span><\/b> below.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Routes Continue in 2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Building on the success of this year\u2019s edition, 2026 will see the continuation of this shifting edition with the <\/span>second edition of the LatAm Content Meeting <\/span><\/b>(13 to 15 April).<\/span> The event is sponsored by Spcine and the S\u00e3o Paulo City Hall, through the Municipal Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy, the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development and Labor.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This initiative reaffirms Sunny Side\u2019s commitment to creating meaningful, long-term bridges between <\/span>Europe and new territories<\/span><\/b>. Strengthening the links between producers and decision-makers across these regions will remain a central objective, with a strong focus on <\/span>amplifying emerging voices<\/span><\/b> and nurturing <\/span>bold, cross-cultural storytelling<\/span><\/b> that reflects today\u2019s global realities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aur\u00e9lie Reman, says: <\/span>\"The collaboration between Sunny Side of the Doc and LatAm Content Meeting,\u00a0 represents a new model for international cooperation. Our pitch sessions have consistently fostered genuine partnerships across continents. For the 2026 in S\u00e3o Paulo, our ambition is clear: to move beyond traditional co-production models and create equitable collaborations rooted in mutual respect and creative exchange. With Europe as a key hub for funding and distribution, and Brazil's institutional commitment through SPCine, we're co-building a platform w<\/span><\/i>here Latin A<\/span><\/i>merican voices don't just participate \u2013 they are an integral part of the future of documentary storytelling. <\/span><\/i>We would be delighted to welcome even more of them to Sunny Side of the Doc 2026.\"<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Sunny Academy<\/span><\/b> stands at the center of this strategic dynamic, establishing itself as an effective tool for skills development and mentorship focused on international market access and navigation. With its successful debut in 2025, featuring our <\/span>first cohort of creators selected from international delegations<\/span><\/b> (Nigeria, Saudi Arabia), <\/span>European training programs<\/span><\/b> (Ex Oriente Series, Frames Festival Residency), <\/span>Sunny Side Prizes<\/span><\/b> (LatAm Content Meeting),<\/span> and regional competitions<\/span><\/b> (Grand Est \"Pose ton doc\"), we've built the foundation for a transformative support network that bridges local talent with global opportunities. In 2026, the Academy will expand its capacity to guide new voices toward international success and sustainable cross-border storytelling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 37th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc will take place from 22 to 25 June 2026 in La Rochelle.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Upcoming Sunny Side of the Doc events<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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