‘Inside Gaza,’ ‘Edgar Hilsenrath the Masturbator’ Among 2024 Pitch Projects at Sunny Side of the Doc
25.04.2024 - 10:21
/ variety.com
Naman Ramachandran International documentary marketplace Sunny Side of the Doc has revealed the 42 projects from 21 countries that make up the official selection for its 2024 edition. As always, the projects are topical and eclectic, ranging from Helene Lam Trong’s “Inside Gaza,” that tells the inside story of the ongoing conflict in the region; to Francois-Xavier Destors’ “Edgar Hilsenrath The Masturbator,” an animated documentary journeying through the transgressive world of Edgar Hilsenrath, the first German-Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor who dared to laugh at death.
The projects will participate in pitch sessions in front of more than 300 international decision-makers, including major broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, buyers and other investors looking for stories with the biggest impact. This year’s call for projects received 320 responses (the same as 2023) from 60 countries, 52% of which were led by female filmmakers.
The Specialist Factual strand, which has a cash prize of €3,000 ($3,217), focuses on the topics Global Issues, Wildlife & Conservation, Science, History and Arts & Culture, while Focus of the Year with a cash prize of €2,000 is over two specific pitching sessions: New Voices, Impact Campaigns. This year, Sunny Side of the Doc is introducing the Innovation WIP program for which five projects have been chosen.
The program aims to encourage the creation of all forms of non-linear documentary (podcasts, video games, immersive technologies, digital arts, virtual worlds). The selected projects will benefit from development support for their project before and during the market.