#SSD25 > June 23-26, 2025
call for projects
sunny side of the doc 2024
Looking for partners and financing for your next documentary?
Submit your project to Sunny Side of the Doc’s pitch sessions!
The call for projects is now closed.
call for
projects
why pitch at sunny side?
With 300+ top-level international decision-makers in attendance, representing leading broadcasters, streamers, foundations, sales agents and other funders looking for impactful stories, pitching at sunny side is a unique opportunity to reach your future partners.
what benefits?
Key benefits also include: accessing a qualified and diverse professional audience, mentoring from industry experts, sealing potential financial deals, finding new partners, meeting with peers for potential co-production discussions, and much more.
Our pitch sessions will be held during the marketplace (La Rochelle, 24-27 June 2024) and we will accomodate those who may not be able to travel to France to pitch online. Wherever you are, you’ll have the same chance to pitch.
Our pitch sessions
Sunny side of the doc 2024 will offer seven pitching sessions.
- Science: we welcome all types of science projects, from blue-chip and hard science to popular science;
- Nature & conservation: natural history, environment, climate-related stories;
- Global issues: current affairs, investigation, social issues, human interest;
- History;
- Arts & culture;
- New Voices: first- and second-time filmmakers/content creators holding projects (50+ minutes or series) with international potential: Emerging filmmakers, stories inspired by under-exposed issues, tomorrow's nuggets - all are welcome!
- Impact campaigns: documentary is a powerful tool for change. Is the topic of your film highly social, political, environmental or does it offer a new vision that you want to share in order to raise awareness and trigger social change? This pitch session is looking for such kind of activism.
what we are
looking for
Eligible projects
- All formats are welcome in our 7 pitch sessions: broadcast length, series, documentary, etc.
- All talents, whether established or not, can apply: filmmakers, producers, writers;
- Projects should be in advanced development. We do not encourage projects whose principal photography has been completed or which are in post-production.
- Projects should have the financial commitment from at least one third-party partner (broadcaster, platform, sales agent, supporting fund, foundation, crowdfunding, etc.). Proof of the confirmed participation of all partners (LOC) is required;
- Submissions from all countries are accepted. Please check our special rates for submissions from the Global South and Low production Capacity Countries;
- Applications must be submitted in English.
Project assessment
Projects will be assessed and selected by a jury of industry professionals based on the following criteria:
- Power and originality of the story and the storytelling;
- International relevance and potential for international co-production;
- Financial feasibility;
- Without being a prerequisite, other elements will be taken into consideration, such as plans for an impact strategy or a green / sustainability certification.
what's
your pitching
journey
- SELECTION
- For each of our seven sessions, six projects will be selected by a jury of industry professionals;
- COMMITMENT | Selected projects must agree to:
- Register for Sunny Side of the Doc (if you bought a Pitch Submission, you will be required to buy your Market Pass)
- Follow the whole pitching journey;
- MENTORING
- Once selected, each of the 42 projects will be offered mentoring sessions with Industry experts to prepare their video pitch, which should be sent to us before June 7th 2024.
- PROJECT PRESENTATION which consists of:
- A pre-recorded video pitch of 5’ (including trailer) aired on-site and online;
- A 2' live presentation, which should ideally focus on production issues (stage of production, financing secured and sought, expectations from the pitch etc.). The mentoring provided bu Sunny Side will help you fine-tune your pitch;
- Followed by an 7’ live Q&A session with Decisions Makers guided by seasoned moderators. Decision makers and selected producers will be able to attend either on-site or online.
- TAILOR-MADE INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS
- At least three tailor-made one-to-one meetings with decision-makers organised according to your wishlist to get straight into creative and financial discussions.
- AWARDS
- Each session’s best pitched projects are decided by a jury of industry experts. The seven winners will each receive a cash prize endowed by respective session sponsors: €3,000 (Science, History, Arts & Culture, Nature & Conservation, Global Issues) and €2,000 (New Voices and Impact Campaigns);
- Additional special prizes and festival invitations may be granted by industry partners.
- PUBLICATION
- The information about the selected projects will be published in the Sunny Side of the Doc resources made available to buyers and registered delegates, including the Official Selections Guide. While you will have the opportunity to verify and update this information, please ensure that it is accurate when applying.
PROJECTS OBSERVATORY
- Sunny Side of the Doc’s commitment goes far beyond the pitch. We wish to support the development of your project all the way to its international distribution. The Projects Observatory allows our organization to monitor your progress and share your achievements with the international documentary community.
- Selected projects will comply with Sunny Side’s requests for information and for including its credit and logo where needed.
how to submit
Read the 2024 call for projects carefully,
gather all the required information
and choose your option to submit your project.
option 1
Ready to get accredited? Choose your Market Pass!
Once registered, choose the submission option on MySunnySpace and submit your project. Proceed to payment at the end of the submission process.
option 2
Not sure if you're coming to La Rochelle yet?
Buy a Pitch Submission and buy later your market pass.
where to submit?
Discover the accreditation options and rates available on our dedicated page register for sunny side of the doc.
Take advantage of our early bird rates on your accreditation! Buy your accreditation before February 29 and save €50!
*Opening date for submissions & accreditations: 7 December 2023.
Closing date for submissions: 14 March 2024, 12pm CET.
why pitch at sunny side?
With 300+ top-level international decision-makers in attendance, representing leading broadcasters, streamers, foundations, sales agents and other funders looking for impactful stories, pitching at sunny side is a unique opportunity to reach your future partners.
what benefits?
Key benefits also include: accessing a qualified and diverse professional audience, mentoring from industry experts, sealing potential financial deals, finding new partners, meeting with peers for potential co-production discussions, and much more.
Our pitching sessions will be held during the marketplace (La Rochelle, 19-22 June) and we will accomodate those who may not be able to travel to France to pitch online. Wherever you are, you’ll have the same chance to pitch.
