Posted: June 23
In honour of the late founder and managing director of Java Films, the company is delighted to mark the second anniversary of the Roch Bozino Engagement Award at this year’s Sunnyside Festival.
Roch founded Java Films in 2005, after years working as a producer at VM Group, and he quickly established it as one of Europe’s leading documentary distributors.
His keen interest in political and historical documentaries, combined with his passion for supporting and nurturing new industry talent, has inspired the creation of this prize in his legacy. The Roch Bozino Engagement Award ‘honours a project that inspired us: one that seeks to bring about change, and gives us optimism for the world of tomorrow. In the spirit of Roch, we want this project to be driven by a committed, inspiring and determined team.’ The award offers €3,000 to the winning project from the Global Issues or New Voices selections. Alongside this, the winner will receive a mentoring session with the Java Films team.
’When we first established this prize in Roch’s memory, our motivation for doing so was driven by strong emotions. Nevertheless, its purpose was still taking shape. Roch was a truly committed person who knew how to unite people around him and inspire them to take action. Watching the pitches last year and hearing the jury’s thoughtful discussion made it clear to us that this prize was all about one thing: hope’ – Kathryn
Roch Bozino cultivated in Java Films a devotion to interpersonal relationships and storytelling. He was always held in very high regard among fellow industry professionals, applauded for his commitment and ingenuity within the international documentary market.
Though Roch is entirely irreplaceable, since his passing in March 2023, the team has continued to evolve and expand in his incredible legacy, whilst remaining loyal to the values that Roch embedded. We are now more animated than ever, with each member taking on new challenges and responsibilities.
The International Sales Managers, Donatien Pierda and Kathryn Bonnici, who worked closely with Roch for 15 years, now co-ordinate the strategic management of distribution and sales, whilst also overseeing the smooth day-to-day running of the company.
Festival Manager, Olivier Semonnay, is now also managing the educational sales of Java’s catalogues, and Angélique Tourré who heads the Post Production and Technical Deliveries Department, is now assisted by Chloé Chenut.
Marine Prévot has also been recruited to aid sales in Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as other French-speaking territories, and Sabine de Clerk has joined as Java Films’ Administrative and Legal Manager.
The company has seen exponential growth of the Digital Department in the last years, since the appointment of Sophie Becker as Head of Digital, and Polly Haythornthwaite as her Deputy. The success of the Digital Department has led to the employment of five YouTube Channel Managers, working remotely from around the world.
To honour the one year anniversary of Roch’s passing, the Java family ventured out to Roch and Anne’s summer home in Fréjus, to enjoy a weekend of team-building and brainstorming, and to celebrate the life of their founder and friend.
It is a very special moment for the Java team to present this award at Sunnyside, a market for which Roch had a particular soft-spot. We are proud to celebrate the second edition of the Roch Bozino Engagement Award this week, continuing his legacy to support meaningful films.
To find out the winner of the Roch Bozino Commitment Award 2025, come to Sunny Side of the Doc in La Rochelle, France, on Wednesday 25th June. We look forward to seeing you there!