Oscar-Winning Producer Helle Faber to Keynote at Sunny Side of the Doc Market
International Documentary Marketplace Announces Keynote Speakers for 2026 Edition
The Sunny Side of the Doc, an international documentary marketplace set in La Rochelle, France, has unveiled its first speakers for the upcoming 2026 event. Scheduled to take place from June 22 to June 24, the 37th iteration of the festival promises to be a key gathering for industry professionals.
Highlighting the lineup is Helle Faber, a newly crowned Oscar winner recognized for her work on Mr. Nobody Against Putin. Faber will deliver a keynote address on international co-production amidst evolving industry dynamics. She stated, “As traditional financing narrows and the balance of power shifts, my 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.”
Faber emphasized the importance of collaboration despite pressures on the co-production model: “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 joining the speaker roster is Ben Zand, founder and CEO of Zandland. Zand plans to address the factors that capture audience interest beyond mere clicks, exploring ways to foster lasting engagement in a rapidly changing landscape.
Sunny Side of the Doc, in collaboration with Documentary Campus, attracts thousands of artists and producers globally, featuring high-level pitch sessions, expert panels on contemporary industry trends, and a vibrant exhibition hall.
Additional speakers confirmed for the event include Jen Topping, who will examine YouTube’s strategic value for documentary creators. The lineup of keynotes and sessions will tackle pressing issues such as financing gaps, building international partnerships, and navigating the evolving power held by exclusivity-driven platforms. Notably, broadcasters like France Télévisions, NHK, China Media Group, ARTE, and Canal+ Group are expected to share insights on budgets and co-production priorities for the near future.
Further discussions will delve into the narrative possibilities offered by artificial intelligence, the potential of archives as content engines, and emerging distribution strategies in a digital-first world.
“The documentary and factual landscape is shifting faster than the professionals can absorb,” said Aurélie Reman, managing director of Sunny Side of the Doc. “The right collective move is to be part of a marketplace built to facilitate international co-productions and global sales. In La Rochelle this June, we’ll witness conversations that address what it takes to bring projects to completion across various platforms.”
Donata von Perfall, managing director of Documentary Campus, expressed enthusiasm for addressing urgent challenges faced by producers. “We have designed this year’s program to reveal the most promising opportunities across TV, digital, and streaming markets. This edition, born from a strategic partnership between Documentary Campus and Sunny Side of the Doc, aims to create a space where professionals can engage, align, and move projects forward,” she noted.
The event is set to foster a collaborative environment crucial for navigating the complexities of the documentary industry.
