24/06/2022 - Back in its physical dimension in La Rochelle, the international documentary and narrative experience market brought together 2000 participants from 67 countries

The project She, directed by Parsifal Reparato, winner of the Global Issues section

After two online editions, Sunny Side of the Doc, the international market for documentary and narrative experiences, returned to La Rochelle for a very dynamic 33rd edition which took place from 20 to 23 June with 2,000 participants from 67 countries, 1,100 accredited companies and nearly 400 decision-makers (major TV channels, streamers, foundations, international sellers and various investors) on the lookout for the 48 projects selected during the eight pitching sessions.

Among the winners in the Global Issues section is the Italian project She, directed by Parsifal Reparato and produced by Antropica. Focusing on the world's largest electronics factory in Vietnam, the project won the jury's approval because "the way in which it unveils timely themes such as women's rights, equal pay, economical migration, western responsibility and patriarchal systems is essential."

Also winning in the Arts & Culture category was the Spanish project The Hidden Eye [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], directed by Carlota Nelson and produced by Wanda Films. Focusing on photographer Cristina García Rodero who continues to travel the world, alone at 72, to capture the strikingly different ways in which humans engage in rituals, festivities and celebrations, the project excited the jury: "The trailer was beautifully shot and incredibly immersive. We felt completely immersed in the photographer's world. The story was very inspiring, with a female filmmaker talking about the work of an older female artist. This pitch was not only a celebration of art but also a celebration of life, revealing a little known photographer onto the international market."

Among the many announcements made at this Sunny Side of the Doc, France Télévisions has launched a major global co-financing initiative for high-end science documentaries in partnership with CBC (Canada), ZDF (Germany), Channel 4 (UK), SVT (Sweden), ORF (Austria) and ABC (Australia). The call for projects is open until 14 October and a jury composed of representatives from each broadcaster will select three projects, guaranteeing a minimum of €300,000 in funding per documentary.

The pitch winners:

Global Issues
She – Parsifal Reparato
Production: Antropica (Italy)

Nature & Conservation
The Big Little Things – Muneera Sallies
Production: Saint Thomas Productions (France), Red Nature Films (South Africa)

Histoire
The Factory’s Basement - Gustavo Ribeiro
Production: Grifa Filmes (Brazil)

Sciences
Ayahuasca - Bruce Gill
Production: Ey Up Films (United Kingdom)

Immersive experiences
Jacob’s Journey - Joanne Popinska
Production: Infinite Frame Media (Canada)

Arts & Culture
The Hidden Eye [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Carlota Nelson
Production: Wanda Films (Spain)

Digital Na(rra)tive Stories
A Very Hot Summer In New York City - Anne-Cécile Genre and Marine Pradel
Production: Binge Audio (France)

Talent Hub New Voices
Nothing Called Home - Arkus
Production: Maurice & Morrise (United Arab Emirates)

Special Prizes

Docs Up Fund and The Social Impact Club Award
She – Parsifal Reparato
Production: Antropica (Italy)

Cristal Publishing Creation Award
The Factory’s Basement - Gustavo Ribeiro
Production: Grifa Filmes (Brazil)

Alhambra Studios Post-production Award
Finding Home - Maria Stanisheva
Production: Iliade et Films (France), AnimaDocs (Bulgaria)

Student Favourite Award
Bye Mom - Ellen Pollard and Marie de Hert
Production: Borgerhoff & Lamberigts TV (Belgium)

IMZ Award
Celtic Utopia - Dennis Harvey and Lars Lovén
Production: MDEMC (Sweden)

Movies That Matter Award
She – Parsifal Reparato
Production: Antropica (Italy)

AJD Industry Days @ AJB Doc Award
Harvest Moon - Rama Ayasraa
Production: New Productions (Jordan)

Pitch The Doc Award
Harvest Moon - Rama Ayasraa
Production: New Productions (Jordan)

INVR.Space Award
Jacob’s Journey - Joanne Popinska
Production: Infinite Frame Media (Canada)

Institute of Documentary Film Award
Liberation Diaries - Matteo Parisini
Production: Ladoc (Italy)

(Translated from French)