Given that it only lasts a lean but eventful four days, running from Monday to Thursday, Sunny Side of the Doc has a lot of awards to go round, aft
Given that it only lasts a lean but eventful four days, running from Monday to Thursday, Sunny Side of the Doc has a lot of awards to go round, after handing them out as the 36th edition came to a close last night, the event added up some remarkable figures. Held in the diminutive fishing town of La Rochelle, this year’s market attracted 2,100 participants from 60 countries, over 1,000 companies, 85 exhibitors, and 260 execs — including broadcasters, streamers and distributors — with special delegations from Africa, China, Brazil, Canada, and Spain.
In a statement, Sunny Side’s Managing Director Aurélie Reman enthused about the success of this year’s iteration, saying, “This 2025 edition exceeded all expectations. Guided by our new advisory board, we delivered a forward-thinking programme that mirrors our industry’s pivots and the funding challenges we all face. We moved beyond traditional networking to create a platform for reimagining cross-border storytelling and collaboration.”
This year’s prizes were distributed as follows…
‘Leonard Cohen: Behind The Iron Curtain’
Sunny Side of the Doc
PITCH SESSIONS
Best Arts & Entertainment Pitch
Leonard Cohen: Behind the Iron Curtain, produced by Nomad Films Inc. (Canada), Fireglory Pictures Gmbh (Germany), Silver Frame (Poland) and directed by Eric Bednarski.
Best Science Pitch
Heart, produced by Millstream Productions (Australia), Green Marble Productions (Australia) and directed by Gloor Alaneo.
Best New Voices Pitch
Restless Farewell, produced by Shanghai Media Group (China) and directed by Nan Yang and Peiyun He.
Best Current Affairs & Investigation Pitch
In Front of Us, produced by Bars Media (Armenia), Associate Directors (Belgium) and directed by Inna Sahakyan.
Best Impact Campaigns Pitch
Mama, produced by Eterea (Ecuador) and directed by Ana Cristina Benítez.
Best Nature & Environment Pitch
Kingdom of the Crocodile, produced by Wild Pacific Media (Australia) and directed by Nick Robinson.
Best History Pitch
The Letelier File, produced by La Ventana Cine (Chile) and directed by Rafael Valdeavellano and Carola Fuentes.
SPECIAL PRIZES
AIDC Award
Taalim, produced by Paper Planes Pictures Pvt Ltd. (India) and directed by Vaibhav Jadhav.
Pitch the Doc Award
Taalim, produced by Paper Planes Pictures Pvt Ltd. (India) and directed by Vaibhav Jadhav.
Student Choice Award
The Other Gaza, produced by Sard Films Ab (Sweden) and directed by Wafa JAMIL ESPVALL.
IMZ Award
Leonard Cohen: Behind the Iron Curtain, produced by Nomad Films Inc. (Canada), Fireglory Pictures Gmbh (Germany), Silver Frame (Poland) and directed by Eric Bednarski.
The Roch Bozino Engagement Award
In Front of Us, produced by Bars Media (Armenia), Associate Directors (Belgium) and directed by Inna Sahakyan.
AJD Industry Days Award
Tutankhamen, Royal Garden: Replanted, produced by Masr Media Production (Egypt), Soura (USA) and directed by Ahmed Hussein.
BIM Award
Mama, produced by Eterea (Ecuador) and directed by Ana Cristina Benítez.
Institute of Documentary Film Award
In Front of Us, produced by Bars Media (Armenia), Associate Directors (Belgium) and directed by Inna Sahakyan.
DocEdge Award
Restless Farewell, produced by Shanghai Media Group (China) and directed by Nan Yang and Peiyun He.
Movies That Matter Award
Miss Albinos, produced by Petites Poupees Production (France) and directed by Cynthia Pinet.
Lionel Guenoun Prize
The Letelier File, produced by La Ventana Cine (Chile) and directed by Rafael Valdeavellano and Carola Fuentes.
The XRoam Immersive Award
Zefar, produced by L’Equipage (Canada) and directed by Sara Nacer and, Colas Wohlahrt.
The End Award
The Other Gaza, produced by Sard Films Ab (Sweden) and directed by Wafa Jamil Espvall.
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