Sunny Side of the Doc
The International Documentary and New Media Market in La Rochelle
About Sunny Side
Since 1989, Sunny Side of the Doc has been the international professional documentary event in La Rochelle. Every year in June, this B2B market brings together producers, broadcasters, distributors, and platforms from around the world to discuss documentary projects and new audiovisual narratives.
The International Documentary Market
Created in 1989 and organized in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), Sunny Side of the Doc is one of the main international markets dedicated to documentaries and new audiovisual narratives. The event is held annually in June at Espace Encan, on the port of La Rochelle, and welcomes over 2,000 professionals from some sixty countries, including approximately 300 international decision-makers (commissioning editors, broadcasters, platforms, distributors, support funds).
An Essential B2B Event
Sunny Side of the Doc offers a packed format of pitch sessions, conferences, keynotes, masterclasses, and one-on-one meetings designed to foster international co-productions and program sales. The market targets producers, broadcasters, distributors, digital platforms, regional funds, international sales agencies, and specialized journalists.
Innovation and New Narratives
Beyond linear documentaries, Sunny Side of the Doc has long explored new forms of storytelling: web documentaries, virtual reality, interactive documentaries, and documentary series for platforms. The market remains a barometer of the sector's evolution and a strategic place to anticipate trends in factual audiovisual writing.
International Pavilions and Delegations
Several countries (Canada, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Nordic countries, Africa, Asia…) are represented via national pavilions and official delegations, making Sunny Side one of the most international markets in the global documentary sector.
Sunny Side — edition 2026
The 37th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc will be held from June 22 to 24, 2026 at the Espace Encan in La Rochelle, in a condensed and optimized format named «The Right Move». The market returns after an initially announced break, thanks to a strategic partnership with Documentary Campus and the support of the CNC.
2026 Edition: «The Right Move»
For its 37th edition, from June 22 to 24, 2026, Sunny Side of the Doc returns to La Rochelle with a reinvented format. After an initially announced break, the market is confirmed for June 2026 thanks to strong mobilization from the documentary community and a new strategic partnership with Documentary Campus, with the support of the CNC.
A Condensed Three-Day Format
The 2026 edition adopts a dense three-full-day format (June 22, 23, and 24) focused on the efficiency of B2B meetings. Traditional on-stage presentations partly give way to a new «round-table pitching format» that encourages direct exchanges between project holders and decision-makers.
Meet & Match
New for 2026: the Meet & Match program selects 120 documentary projects and organizes a tailor-made schedule of 15-minute individual meetings for each with commissioning editors, distributors, platforms, and alternative funding sources. The deadline for applications has been set for April 24, 2026.
Provisional Program
The 2026 edition offers:
- Documentary project pitches (Meet & Match sessions, thematic pitches, regional pitches including LatAm)
- Keynotes and plenary conferences (including a presentation by Danish producer Helle Faber, Oscar winner for Mr. Nobody Against Putin)
- Channel line-ups (editorial presentations by international broadcasters)
- Panels and round tables on the future of documentary
- National pavilions (Canada / Telefilm Canada, Brazil, Europe, etc.) and professional delegations
- Networking spaces, co-production lunches, professional evenings
Expected Audience
More than 2,000 professionals are expected, from around sixty countries, including approximately 300 international decision-makers (commissioning editors, broadcasters, platforms, distributors, funds).
Highlights Sunny Side 2026
- 37th edition from June 22 to 24, 2026 at Espace Encan in La Rochelle
- New «Meet & Match» format: 120 projects selected, 15-minute individual meetings with decision-makers
- Strategic partnership with Documentary Campus
- More than 2,000 professionals expected, 60 countries represented, 300 international decision-makers
- Keynote by Helle Faber, Oscar-winning producer (Mr. Nobody Against Putin)
- National pavilions (Canada, Brazil, Europe...) and LatAm Content Meeting sessions
Prices Sunny Side 2026
Practical information — Sunny Side
Location
Sunny Side of the Doc is held at Espace Encan, Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle, on the city's port. Several adjacent venues in the neighborhood host parallel sessions, meetings, and networking events.
Access
- La Rochelle SNCF train station approximately 10 minutes walk from the city center
- La Rochelle - Île de Ré Airport (LRH) approximately 8 km away
- Direct TGV connections from Paris-Montparnasse
- Public parking nearby (Encan, Vieux-Port, Médiathèque)
Professional Accreditation
Access to the market is reserved for accredited professionals (producers, broadcasters, distributors, journalists, students specializing in audiovisuals…). Registration is done online on the official website, with different pass formulas depending on the profile (Market Pass, Project Submission, Exhibitor, Decision Maker).
Contact
Organizing office: 4 place Bernard Moitessier, 17000 La Rochelle
Phone: +33 5 46 55 79 79
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Sunny Side
Espace Encan
Espace Encan, Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle