Sunny Side of the Doc, the international marketplace for linear and non-linear documentaries, is on its second day today, following a dynamic opening yesterday. The 36th edition of the event has convened over 1,800 professionals from 60 countries and 1,000 registered companies, with 240 decision-makers, to discuss co-productions, the role of AI, and emerging voices in the documentary industry.

Yesterday morning, TV Brasil's Antonia Pellegrino delivered the opening keynote, detailing her work in repositioning the Brazilian public broadcaster. The exec outlined TV Brasil's strategic pillars: becoming a platform for Brazilian independent audiovisual production, attracting audiences through sports and telenovelas, and investing in original productions. She announced TV Brasil's partnership with Brazil's Ministry of Culture, which secured nearly 45 million euros in content. She also stated that these efforts have led to the channel's ‘dramatic turnaround that has made it Brazil's second most-watched broadcaster’.

Meanwhile the session "Global Doc: Will A.I. Transform International Co-Productions?" brought together executives from France TV Distribution, CBC Canada, ZDF, and Gedeon Programmes to explore artificial intelligence’s impact on documentary production. Johannes Geiger, Commissioning editor at ZDF, commented: ‘We have noted that while AI offers opportunities for cost reduction and workflow enhancement, broadcasters still remain cautious about maintaining editorial control and audience trust’. Also, the rest of the speakers expressed key concerns on transparency requirements, environmental impact, and the need for clear contracts specifying AI usage.

Also, Japan’s NHK marked its 100th broadcasting anniversary with a comprehensive showcase led by senior producer Shin Yasuda. The session highlighted NHK’s evolution from its post-earthquake public service origins to its current role as an international co-production partner, emphasizing its technological innovations.

The "Meet the Buyers" session featured Anna Klara Weingarten from SVT Sweden, Laura Ní Cheallaigh from Ireland’s TG4, and Adita Jain from India’s DocuBay platform, who presented their editorial strategy point of view. The buyers indicated that audience figures present challenges, but they are adjusting strategies with music, sports, and historical documentaries to strengthen the industry. The session emphasized the importance of targeted pitching, strong storytelling, and exclusive access.

Two major pitch competitions launched simultaneously yesterday: the New Voices and the Science Pitch. These sessions presented projects and connected new talent with commissioners and distributors, demonstrating the market’s commitment to emerging voices.

Technology, user experience, and immersive content were also focal points during the session "Immersive Destinations: New Horizons for XR Content." This discussion addressed the market for virtual reality experiences, featuring speakers from the Science Museum Group, Gedeon Programmes, Ubisoft, and HTC Vive. The panel reflected the industry's expanding definition of documentary storytelling and highlighted new revenue streams through experiential content.

The day concluded with NHK’s centennial celebration screening, followed by regional networking sessions designed to facilitate connections and collaboration opportunities for international professionals.

Juan Pablo Morales from La Rochelle, France

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