Markets

Sunny Side of the Doc will return to La Rochelle from 22 to 24 June 2026, reaffirming its position on the international documentary calendar with a renewed market format developed in partnership with Documentary Campus.

Following strong mobilization from the documentary community and the support of key partners and funders — including decisive backing from France’s CNC — the market has redesigned its model to better reflect the evolving needs of the sector. The new partnership with Documentary Campus aims to strengthen Sunny Side’s role as a key European and international hub for documentary business, collaboration and professional exchange.

Aurélie Reman, Managing Director of Sunny Side of the Doc, said "This partnership allows us to look ahead with clarity and ambition. Taking time to listen and reflect was essential to design a model that aligns with the shifting demands of the documentary community. Sunny Side of the Doc is that lighthouse guiding the way, the entry point for a world of stories with power and authenticity. Together with Documentary Campus, we are reinforcing our role as a key marketplace while creating fresh opportunities for the professionals who firmly stood up for it."

The 2026 edition will adopt a streamlined three-day format, focused on creating a more efficient B2B environment while opening new pathways to support the sector’s ongoing transformations. Central to this evolution is a reimagined market structure that prioritizes linear productions and digital-first strategies.

Among the key changes, Sunny Side of the Doc will introduce a round-table pitching format, replacing traditional on-stage pitches with more direct, discussion-based encounters between creators and decision-makers. The programme will also include high-level talks and sessions addressing the future of documentary storytelling, content strategies and business models.

“Documentary Campus brings long-standing expertise in designing and managing market-driven programmes that respond directly to the industry’s most urgent needs,” said Donata von Perfall, Managing Director of Documentary Campus. “With this new partnership, we are working together to build a market that addresses today’s challenges while driving the future of how documentaries are financed, produced, and shared globally.”

Roman Jeanneau, President of Doc Services implementing Sunny Side of the Doc, added: "We are delighted to confirm that Sunny Side of the Doc will return in 2026. This partnership with Documentary Campus and Donata von Perfall's commitment are a response to the needs of professionals at a pivotal moment for the industry. Under Aurélie Reman's leadership, Sunny Side will continue to foster business, fruitful connections, and meaningful reflections. See you in La Rochelle this June!”