In La Rochelle, the Sunny Side of the Doc documentary market gives pride of place to innovations

For four days, until June 22, more than 2,000 people flock to the international documentary market in La Rochelle. For La Rochelle director Didier Roten, it is impossible to miss the Sunny Side of the Doc.

The independent producer presents his latest film Notebook. A very personal project, mixing animation and reality, which is inspired by the diary of his mother, a hidden child of the Second World War. “By the strength of the creation, the originality of the writing, we manage to capture new audiences and in this case, for this film, we are targeting a young audience who do not really know this story, through the creativity of the designs, he explains. This market is an opportunity for all documentary filmmakers to come and get ideas and show their latest creations.

Thinking about the documentary of tomorrow

At a time when television is losing ground, documentaries are flirting with video games. Like the work of Martine Asselin who presents a series of interactive short films. His films are viewed with a virtual reality headset and joysticks. A hybrid and immersive experience that allows you to feel the emotions of a little boy who lives in his bubble because he is autistic. “The person immerses herself in the perception of the world of the character called Lou, she is called upon to redo her behavior herself, it brings another sensitivity“, specifies the Canadian director of Feet up: Lou.

Because the conquest of new audiences requires innovative formats. The production company Les films invisibles present in La Rochelle is in talks with the Arte channel for a documentary in a video game. “All these new narratives allow new developments and attract new audiences in the service of documentary stories“, underlines Maïté Labat, Innovation Manager of Sunny Side Of the Doc.

Sunny Side of the Doc, until June 22 in La Rochelle