Doc Network

Train. Meet. Develop.

Doc Network brings together all the training programs hosted at Sunny Side of the Doc, offering emerging documentary talents access to high-level industry expertise. This includes Ex Oriente Film Documentary Laboratory and The Media Faculty training course.

Additionally, Doc Network encompasses our long-standing grants program, designed to support young European talents by providing them with affordable access to the international documentary market.

what to expect?

This year, Sunny Academy is making its debut at Sunny Side of the Doc with a customized pathway for a selected group of projects. The 2025 cohort, named Quai des Talents, will be chosen through our Project Observatory as well as from training programs hosted at the market.

These projects will receive exclusive support on the international market, with dedicated sessions covering key topics:

  • Project Development & Storytelling
  • Financial & Co-Production Strategies
  • Distribution & Market Access
  • Pitching & Presentation
  • Industry Networking & Career Growth

Our initiatives

Find out more about all our Doc Network activities.

Europe’s got Talent
Grants

Europe’s got Talent

Grants

This year, a new wave of talented filmmakers will have the opportunity to participate in Sunny Side of the Doc and meet the documentary community thanks to our Europe’s Got Talent grants program.

Training program
Ex oriente

Training program

Ex oriente

Sunny Side of the Doc will be hosting the opening session of the Ex oriente Film Documentary Laboratory in La Rochelle, from 20 to 26 June 2025.

Training program
The Media Faculty

Training program

The Media Faculty

Sunny Side of the Doc will host The Media Faculty’s training course, providing participants with exclusive access to Sunny Side of the Doc 2025.

our partners

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In search of answers

How will the major functions (production, distribution, broadcasting) continue to evolve, what are the emerging professions of tomorrow, and how is AI shaking up the industry? How will storytelling evolve? And what stories should we tell in a world living in an era of climate change, conflict, geopolitical tension and growing inequality?

These questions will run through Sunny Side of the Doc and will undoubtedly feed the projects selected in our 7 pitch categories: Science, History, Arts and Culture, Nature & Conservation, Global Issues, New Voices and Impact Campaigns.

Register

register as

delegate

Grab your Market Pass and participate in the market from June 23 to 26. It includes access to all activities, conferences, and workshops organized during the market in La Rochelle.

register as

exhibitor

Exhibit at Sunny Side of the Doc! Choose the type of stand that suits your the most! Classic stands from 6m² to 18m², tailor-made stands, meeting tables, sellers’ lounge tables, up to you!

register as

Decision maker

Meet 800+ international content producers and 200+ distributors across a wide range of networking events, a unique opportunity to find hidden gem and develop potential business opportunities.

register as

Journalist

Our market is essential for most of international channels and platforms as it is often used as a tool for official announcements. Be the first to reveal the latest news!

timeline

Save the dates

Opening of the SSD x LCM call for projects
Sunny Side of the Doc
24 September 2024

Opening of the SSD x LCM call for projects

Opening date of the Sunny Side of the Doc x LatAm Content Meeting call for projects.

> More info.

Closing of the SSD x LCM call for projects
Sunny Side of the Doc
5 December 2024

Closing of the SSD x LCM call for projects

Closing date: Project submissions for the LCM x SSD pitch sessions will be accepted until Thursday, December 5th, 2024, 12pm CET

> More info.

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications opens
Sunny Side of the Doc
16 December

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications opens

Submit your non-linear documentary creation to the Sunny Innovation Lab!

> More info

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects opening
Sunny Side of the Doc
17 December

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects opening

Submit your project to the Sunny Side of the Doc 2025 pitch sessions.

> More info

Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions at LatAm Content Meeting
Sunny Side of the Doc
10-12 March 2025

Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions at LatAm Content Meeting

Join the International Meeting for documentary and Factual Content in Latin America from 10 to 12 March 2025 in Rio de Janeiro.

> More info.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects closing
Sunny Side of the Doc
25 March

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025: call for projects closing

Registration for Sunny Side of the Doc pitch sessions closes.

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications closes
Sunny Side of the Doc
25 March

Sunny Innovation Lab 2025: call for applications closes

Last day to submit your non-linear documentary creation to the Sunny Innovation Lab.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025
Sunny Side of the Doc
23-26 June 2025

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025

Join 36th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc, the international marketplace for documentary taking place on 23-26 June, 2025 in La Rochelle.

> More info coming soon.

Sep 2024
24 September 2024
Dec 2024
5 December 2024
16 December
17 December
Mar 2025
10-12 March 2025
25 March
25 March
Jun 2025
23-26 June 2025

agenda

Want to discover the highlights of this 35th edition?

Keynotes, channel lineups, pitch sessions, panels and conferences, Meet the Executives, screenings, networking events, happy hours... Have a glimpse into the #SSD24 programme without further delay!

Agenda

Focus on Australia

Australia has a special place at Sunny Side of the Doc. Highlighted in 2023 through a number of dedicated panels (ABC, SBS, Screen Australia and AIDC) at the market in June, Australia will be again in the spotlight for the 35th anniversary edition of Sunny Side of the Doc.

A programme will be entirely dedicated to Australia, co-produced with French and Australian institutions and organisations. This focus-event will notably include an Australian pavilion, matchmaking sessions with producers from the country, and will welcome Australian industry professionals from the First Nation association.

why attend?

Whether you are a producer, buyer or distributor of factual content, seize your chance to:

- Establish new contacts and build coproduction relationships;
- Explore key trends in the booming international factual market;
- Pitch and develop new documentary projects;
- Discover new talents and find new format ideas;
- Acquire content and/or strengthen your catalogue.

2,000+

participants

300

international
decision makers

1,000

companies

60+

countries

official selection

This year, xx projects from xx countries will had the privilege to compete for the best pitch prize in each category!
Discover the selected projects now!

official selections &palmares

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sunny side of the doc

Gallery

You may be wondering what Sunny Side of the Doc looks like? Take a look at the pictures below!

sunny side of the doc