Sunny Side Of The Doc Announces First Speakers For 2026 Event

Sunnyside of the Docthe international documentary market held in La Rochelle, France, has announced the first speakers for its upcoming 2026 edition.

37^Day SSD, running June 22-24, will feature a keynote address by newly Oscar-winning producer Helle Faber. No one is against PutinHe will share his observations on international co-productions during a time of unprecedented change. “As traditional funding dwindles and the balance of power shifts, (Faber’s) session will provide a clear perspective on what’s changing, what’s still essential, and how producers can navigate this moment and, crucially, take the right steps,” SSD wrote.

Faber said in a statement: “International co-productions have always been about ambition and telling stories across borders. Today, models are under pressure, but collaboration is more important than ever. I look forward to speaking at Sunny Side of the Doc and tackling the challenges of coordinating and building partnerships to help bold, global stories reach audiences.”

Also confirmed for the lineup is Ben Zand, Founder and CEO of Zandland: “He is building a new model by producing, financing and distributing documentaries entirely in-house. His keynote will go beyond clicks and address what resonates with today’s audiences and what it takes to build lasting engagement in an ecosystem where audiences are becoming increasingly elusive.”

Sunny Side of the Doc, presented in partnership with Documentary Campus, attracts thousands of participants from around the world each year and offers “high-level presentation sessions, panels and exhibition halls on the latest industry trends.”

Additional confirmed speakers include Jen Topping, who will evaluate the real value of YouTube for documentarians and how to use it strategically; According to SSD, high-profile keynotes and “candid conversations” sessions will address a variety of challenges, including closing funding gaps, building viable international alliances, and navigating ecosystems reshaped by exclusivity and platform power. Broadcasters including France Télévisions, NHK, China Media Group, ARTE, Canal+ Group and the Global Doc publisher alliance will share transparent insights into their budgets, co-production priorities and partnership expectations over the next 12-24 months.

Additional sessions and discussions will examine the narrative role of AI, the potential of archives as content engines, and emerging distribution strategies in digital-first markets.

“The documentary and factual landscape is changing faster than professionals can absorb,” says Aurélie Reman, Managing Director of Sunny Side of the Doc. “The right collective move is to become part of a market built to enable international co-production and global sales.” “This June, the voices that are reshaping business models and partnerships in La Rochelle will speak loudly about what it takes to get projects across the finish line across TV, streaming and digital platforms. Ours is an industry that runs on face-to-face relationships and urgent conversations that happen publicly. It’s the strategic choices where the real stakes are.”

Donata von Perfall, Managing Director of Documentary Campus, adds: “We planned this year’s event to directly address the pressing issues facing creators while unveiling the most promising opportunities across the TV, digital and streaming markets. The focus is on practical insights and an open, solutions-focused exchange that can only happen in a boardroom. This edition is the product of a unique and strategic partnership between the Documentary Campus and Sunny Side of the Doc and forms all the elements to create a space for the industry to engage, coordinate and move. It’s great for the industry to come to La Rochelle and be part of these conversations. “It’s essential.”