#SSD25 > June 23-26, 2025
call for projects
ssd x lcm pitch sessions
For its very first edition, the LatAm Content Meeting chose Sunny Side of the Doc, the international marketplace for documentary, to organize its pitch sessions.
Deadline for submissions: Thursday, December 5th 2024, 12pm CET. Call for projects now closed.
ssd x lcm
why pitch at LatAm Content Meeting?
You’re looking for partners and financing for your next documentary? Submit your project to LatAm Content Meeting’s pitching sessions and join the new international meeting for documentary and factual content in Latin America from 10 to 12 March 2025 in Rio de Janeiro. The call for projects is open to all filmmakers from the globe.
We expect a large number of top-level international decision-makers to attend, representing leading broadcasters, streamers, foundations, sales agents, and other funders seeking impactful stories. Pitching at LatAm Content Meeting offers a unique opportunity to connect with the global content community.
what we are looking for
We are open to all types of documentary series, feature-length films, and non-scripted formats.
If your project addresses social, political, or environmental issues, or offers a new perspective to raise awareness and drive social change, we welcome submissions with an impact campaign.
Deadline for submissions: Thursday, December 5th 2024, 12pm CET.
our
pitch
sessions
We’re looking for documentaries which are not merely traditional news reporting but deeply explore complex issues, subjects or events, shedding light on untold stories, uncovering information that has been hidden, overlooked, or suppressed and challenging the status quo and prevailing narratives. We expect projects characterized by their rigorous research, in-depth analysis, compelling evidence and nuanced narrative.
We are open to any topics that have social, economic, technological, environmental, or political relevance and which can resonate with international audiences.
For this category, the potential for international co-production is a key element.
We’re open to a wide range of topics, ranging from a focus on the natural world, on its ecosystems and its wildlife to the impact of human activities on the environment and to what we can do or are doing to fight climate change.
The aim of the projects can range from educating, appreciating and raising awareness about the beauty, complexity, and importance of nature, to the challenges we face in the light of climate change, habitat destruction, species extinction and to encouraging conservation and sustainable practices.
For this category, the potential for international co-production is a key element.
Factual entertainment is a key genre in the international format business, but it covers a wide range of shows, and its definition is far from universal. We are totally open in terms of topics and are looking for content which explores a slice of life and blends factual or real-life information for entertainment purposes. We’re open to a wide range of forms from highly constructed formats to social experiments, from lifestyle programs to docu-reality series which can be host or character-driven. We expect compelling narratives with a serialized arc and an ambition to keep global audiences hooked, week-on-week.
We are particularly keen on projects which can connect with young viewers, and which reflect a more inclusive society. Paper formats and shows which have aired only in their domestic market (both linear or digital) are eligible provided they have the potential to travel abroad as a format (in this case, you should provide your format’s bible*).
We are clearly not looking for game or competition shows.
what we are
looking for
Eligible projects
- All talents, whether confirmed 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 (no minimum amount) from at least one third-party partner (broadcaster, platform, sales agent, supporting fund, foundation, crowdfunding,NGO, co-producer, etc .). A proof of the confirmed participation of all partners (Letter of commitment “LOC”) is required;
- All formats are welcome in our 3 pitching sessions: broadcast length, series, documentary, etc.
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 of the storytelling;
- International relevance and potential for international coproduction;
- 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.
Your pitching
journey
- Selection
6 projects will be selected in each of the 3 pitch sessions;
- Commitment
Selected projects will be revealed mid-January 2025 and, once their participation is confirmed, they will receive their accreditation to LatAm Content Meeting (March 10-12, 2025 - Rio de Janeiro).
They must agree to follow the whole pitching journey.
- Mentoring
Once selected, each of the 18 projects will be offered mentoring sessions with Industry experts to prepare their video pitch, which should be sent to us before February 19th, 2025.
- Project presentation which consists in:
- A pre-recorded video pitch of 5’ (including trailer) aired on-site;
- 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 by Sunny Side will help you fine-tune your pitch;
- Followed by an 7’ live Q&A session with Decisions Makers guided by seasoned moderators.
- Tailored individual meetings
At least three tailored one-to-one meetings with Decision Makers will be organized according to your wishlist to get straight into creative and financial discussions.
- Awards
- A jury of industry experts will select the best pitched project in each session. The three winners will receive a cash prize with the amount to be announced at a future date.
- Additional special prizes and festival invitations may be granted by industry partners.
- Publication
The information about the selected projects will be published in the LatAm Content Meeting resources made available to buyers and registered delegates. While you will have the opportunity to verify and update this information, please ensure that it is accurate when applying.
Projects Observatory
As part of the Sunny Side of the Doc pitches path, selected and winning projects will benefit from its Project Observatory. Indeed, Sunny Side of the Doc’s commitment goes far beyond the pitch. The objective is 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 the Call for project’s requests for information and for including its credit and logo where needed.
how to submit
Follow this 3-step guide to submit your project to the Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions at the LatAm Content Meeting!
Read the
call for projects
Carefully review the submission guidelines and criteria in the call to ensure your project meets the requirements.
Access the
submission platform
Access the submission platform available on LatAm Content Meeting's website and select "Pitch Submission" as your product type.
Submit
your project
Fill out the submission form, upload the required materials, and submit your project with a €50 entry fee.
Deadline for submissions: Thursday, December 5th 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.
