Markets

Sunny Side of the Doc wrapped its final edition in La Rochelle by bringing together 1,500 participants from 55 countries, underscoring the documentary sector’s commitment to collaboration and innovation during a period of industry transition. Held from June 22-24, the 37th edition of the market attracted 10 international delegations, more than 800 companies, 73 exhibitors and 190 international decision-makers. Organised in just five months, the event marked the conclusion of Sunny Side of the Doc’s 20-year run in La Rochelle.

Aurélie Reman, Managing Director of Sunny Side of the Doc, said: “This 2026 edition has been one of mobilisation, and proof, once again, that the documentary knows how to reinvent itself: with clarity, with loyalty to its values, and with the conviction that certain challenges can only be tackled together. Over the past 37 years, Sunny Side of the Doc has been at the forefront of every major transformation in our audiovisual sector. The international community, gathered one last time in La Rochelle, confirmed this: three days of exchanges between professionals from around the world, inspiring sessions and concrete opportunities across borders, in partnership with Documentary Campus. The determination is there to build new sustainable models and strategic partnerships, at a time when our collective ability to finance, produce, broadcast and export authentic stories that serve the public interest is at stake. This documentary battle begins tomorrow!”

The 2026 edition was developed in partnership with Documentary Campus, introducing new networking initiatives including Meet & Match and Speed Dating formats aimed at supporting producers and projects throughout the market. Donata von Perfall, Managing Director of Documentary Campus, said: "This partnership with Sunny Side of the Doc reflected something I believe deeply: when the right movements, the right timing and the right momentum come together, real change follows for the whole market. Meet & Match and Speed Dating are two new formats born directly from this collaboration, built into these three days to support producers and their projects every step of the way. Seeing the overwhelming positive response of the participants fills me with gratitude and reafirms the reason of a new opportunity to come.”

As the documentary industry navigates shifting business models and financing challenges, the three-day programme was designed to encourage reflection and provide strategic direction for the sector. Roman Jeanneau, President of Doc Services, added: “After 37 years of championing documentary film, it is time for the long-term future of the documentary market in France to be placed in the hands of the industry itself. This is an event of collective interest. We can be proud of the legacy left by Sunny Side, of its pioneering role and of the place it has occupied for nearly four decades within the international documentary ecosystem. I would like to pay special tribute to the two founders, now deceased, Olivier Masson and Yves Jeanneau, who had the vision to create this unique market. Their intuition, their boldness and their commitment have left a lasting mark that continues to guide us today.”

A new international documentary market will launch in Strasbourg in June 2027 with support from the CNC, the City of Strasbourg, the Eurométropole de Strasbourg and the Grand Est Region.