Sunny Facet of the Doc Wraps thirty fifth Version, Eyes International Growth Amid ‘Rise of Extremism’

The worldwide documentary market Sunny Side of the Doc concluded its thirty fifth version in La Rochelle, France on June 27, drawing 2,100 members from 68 nations. The four-day occasion, themed “Mapping the Future,” showcased 90 exhibitors and hosted 250 worldwide decision-makers.

This system featured keynotes from PBS, an XR artist, and First Nations Australian voices, in addition to the primary showcase of Nigerian documentaries and the lineups from French channels and teams like France Télévisions, Arte, Canal+, TF1, M6 and Altice Media.

Seven pitch classes highlighted worldwide co-production alternatives, with winners hailing from Australia, Iran, France, Eire, Canada, Malaysia, Kenya, Germany and the U.S. Notably, 5 girls had been among the many award recipients, and three winners offered debut tasks.

Mathieu Béjot, director of technique and improvement, stated: “Within the present context marked by societal polarization, the rise of extremism, and worldwide geopolitical tensions, Sunny Facet helps the highly effective and impactful documentary style greater than ever.”

Wanting forward, managing director Aurélie Reman outlined plans to increase the occasion’s international attain. “Our purpose is to carry collectively documentary skills from 5 continents inside an ever extra resilient and decided neighborhood,” Reman said.

The group introduced the event of Sunny Academy, geared toward nurturing new generations of storytellers worldwide. As a part of this initiative, Sunny Facet will manage pitch classes on the inaugural LatAm Content material Market in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 10-13, 2025.

Upcoming occasions embody the eighth version of PiXii Competition in La Rochelle and Rochefort from October 17-20, 2024, and the thirty sixth version of Sunny Facet of the Doc in La Rochelle from June 23-26, 2025.

The market continues to diversify, incorporating numerous parts of the documentary worth chain, together with impression actors, archives, and distributors enjoying an rising position in pre-financing tasks.

Sunny Facet of the Doc 2024 Award Winners

PITCH SESSION WINNERS

Finest Science Pitch (Sponsored by PBS Distribution) “The Mind Backyard” Storyland PTY LTD. (Australia) Director: Randall Wooden

Finest New Voices Pitch (Sponsored by Al Jazeera & AJB DOC Movie Competition) “Dream of the Wild Oaks” Seven Spring Footage (Iran) Director: Marjan Khosravi

Finest International Points Pitch (Sponsored by RTBF) “Inside Gaza” Factstory, AFP – Agence France Presse (France) Director: Hélène Lam Trong

Particular Jury Point out: “Silence of the Lams” EZ Movies (Eire) Director: Ciaran Deeney

Finest Arts & Tradition Pitch (Sponsored by Al Jazeera Documentary Channel & AJB DOC Movie Competition) “The Form of Blue” Intuitive Footage inc. (Canada) Director: Sybilla Patrizia

Finest Influence Campaigns Pitch “The Fable of Monsters” Collect Collectively (Malaysia) Director: Beatrice Leong

Finest Nature & Conservation Pitch (Sponsored by Blue Ant Media & Love Nature) “Empalikino” Ripple Productions Ltd (Kenya) Director: Eric Mwangi

Finest Historical past Pitch “Our Sister Angela: Black Energy within the GDR” Florianfilm GmbH (Germany), Dare Footage (United States), La Lutta (United States) Administrators: Jascha Hannover & Katharina Warda

Particular Jury Point out: “The Curse of Sugar” Hauteville Productions (France) Director: Mathilde Damoisel

SPECIAL AWARDS

AIDC Award: “Dream of the Wild Oaks” (Iran)
Pitch the Doc Award: “A Satellite tv for pc for Buru Laï” (France)
Scholar Alternative Award: “Ba’s E-book” (Canada)
IMZ Award: “Niemeyer 4Ever” (France)
Roch Bozino de l’engagement Award: “Tales and Sentences” (France)
Influence Social Membership Award: “Each Different Woman” (Gambia)
Finest Influence Film Award: “Unwelcomed” (Chile)
Institute of Documentary Movie Award: “A Satellite tv for pc for Buru Laï” (France)
DocEdge Award: “Yurlu | Nation” (Australia)
Motion pictures That Matter Award: “Yurlu | Nation” (Australia)
Al Jazeera Documentary Business Days Award: “Inside Gaza” (France)