Sunny Side of the Doc Opens Call for Projects for 2025

Sunny Side of the Doc has opened the call for projects for its 2025 pitch sessions, with a submission deadline of March 25.

There are seven pitch session categories to submit to: science, history, arts and entertainment, nature and environment, current affairs and investigation, new voices and impact campaigns. The best project in each category will be selected by a jury of industry experts at Sunny Side of the Doc.

By submitting a project to one of the pitch sessions, creators embark on a journey featuring mentoring by industry experts, exclusive access to a qualified and diverse professional audience and opportunities for creative and financial co-productions.

The pitch sessions will then take place in the presence of over 300 top-level international decision-makers, including leading broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, buyers and other funders.

Sunny Side of the Doc has also opened the call for applications for the second edition of the Sunny Innovation Lab. The call is open to creators exploring non-linear formats such as podcasts, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, immersive installations, artificial intelligence, video games, sound immersion, web series, domes and more. Six projects will be chosen to join the 2025 cohort and benefit from the program, including online sessions before and after the market, as well as in-person meetings and workshops during the market.

Sunny Side of the Doc 2025 will be held from June 23 to 26 in La Rochelle.

“For this new edition, the goal is to support the emergence of economic models, narratives and talents that can collectively and sustainably address the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Aurélie Reman, managing director of Doc Services. “Sunny Side of the Doc exists to open real and inclusive perspectives, placing dialogue, creativity and innovation at the center of everything. It provides a space of trust where a variety of formats and narratives come to life through international collaboration. We invite documentary makers from around the world to submit their projects—not only to find creative partners but also to forge new co-production and distribution alliances that will bring their stories to a global audience.”