What's Happening?
Sunny Side of the Doc, a prominent documentary market event, is set to take place from June 22-24 in La Rochelle, France, following a strategic partnership with Documentary Campus. This collaboration has
revived the event after its cancellation was announced in December 2025 due to lost European funding and organizational constraints. The partnership, supported by France's CNC and industry mobilization, has allowed organizers to restructure the market with a more focused approach. The 2026 edition will feature a streamlined three-day format centered on essential B2B functions, with programming restructured around linear productions and digital-first strategies. Traditional on-stage pitches will be replaced by a round-table pitching format to facilitate direct, discussion-driven encounters between producers and decision-makers.
Why It's Important?
The revival of Sunny Side of the Doc is significant for the documentary industry, as it provides a crucial platform for networking, financing, and sharing documentary content globally. The event typically attracts over 2,100 participants from 60 countries, including decision-makers, producers, filmmakers, sales agents, and funders. The partnership with Documentary Campus, which brings 25 years of experience in professional training and market development, aims to address the industry's most urgent needs. This collaboration is expected to drive the future of how documentaries are financed, produced, and shared, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the documentary market.
What's Next?
The upcoming edition of Sunny Side of the Doc will focus on adapting to the shifting demands of the documentary community. The event will include high-level talks addressing documentary content, storytelling, and business models. The new format aims to foster more direct interactions between industry professionals, potentially leading to innovative collaborations and projects. As the documentary market continues to evolve, stakeholders will likely monitor the outcomes of this partnership to assess its impact on the industry and explore further opportunities for collaboration and growth.
