Sunny Side Of The Doc Announces First Speakers For 2026 Event

Sunny Side of the Doc, the international documentary marketplace held in La Rochelle, France, has announced the first speakers for its upcoming 2026 edition.

The 37^th SSD, running June 22-24, will feature a keynote address from newly minted Oscar winner Helle Faber, producer of Mr. Nobody Against Putin, who will share her observations on international co-production in a time of unprecedented change. SSD writes, “As traditional financing narrows and the balance of power shifts, [Faber’s] session will give a clear-eyed view of what is changing, what remains essential, and how producers can navigate this moment to decisively make the right move.”

In a statement, Faber commented, “International co-production has always been about ambition and telling stories beyond borders. Today the model is under pressure, but collaboration is more important than ever. I’m looking forward to speaking at Sunny Side of the Doc and breaking down the challenges around adapting and building partnerships that let bold, global stories reach audiences.”

Also confirmed for the lineup is Ben Zand, founder and CEO of Zandland, “who is building a new model by creating, funding, and distributing documentaries entirely in-house. His keynote will confront what actually resonates with audiences today beyond clicks, and what it takes to build lasting engagement in an ecosystem where audiences are increasingly elusive.”

Sunny Side of the Doc, presented in partnership with Documentary Campus, attracts thousands of participants from around the world each year, offering “a mix of high-level pitch sessions, panels on the latest industry trends and an exhibition hall.”

Additional confirmed speakers include Jen Topping, who will assess YouTube’s real value for documentary producers, and how to use it strategically. Per SSD, high-profile keynotes and “straight talk” sessions will tackle a variety of challenges: closing financing gaps, forging viable international alliances, and navigating an ecosystem reshaped by exclusivity and platform power. Broadcasters including France Télévisions, NHK, China Media Group, ARTE, Canal+ Group, and Global Doc pubcasters alliance will share transparent insights on budgets, co-production priorities, and partnership expectations for the next 12 to 24 months.

Further sessions and debates will examine the narrative role of AI, the potential of archives as a content engine, and the distribution strategies emerging from a digital-first market.

“The documentary and factual landscape is shifting faster than the professionals can absorb. The right collective move is to be part of a marketplace built to make international co-productions and global sales happen,” notes Aurélie Reman, managing director of Sunny Side of the Doc. “In La Rochelle this June, the voices reshaping business models and partnerships will speak plainly about what it takes to get projects across the finish lines on TV, streaming and digital platforms. Ours is an industry that runs on in-person relationships and that urgent conversation, held openly and with real stakes, is a strategic choice.”

Donata von Perfall, managing director of Documentary Campus, adds: “We have designed this year’s to directly address the urgent challenges facing producers, revealing the most promising opportunities across the TV, digital and streaming markets. The focus is on practical insight and open, solution- driven exchange – and that can only happen in the room. This edition is the product of a unique, strategic partnership between Documentary Campus and Sunny Side of the Doc, shaping every element to create a space where the industry can engage, align, and move projects forward, making it essential for the industry to be in La Rochelle and part of these conversations.”