The annual SIMA Awards celebrate the highest standard of social impact storytelling, honoring the most cutting edge filmmaking from around the world that inspires activism, compassion and social transformation. Each year, projects are selected from over 140 countries, competing for awards, cash prizes, media features, and entry into SIMA’s distribution programs that bring selected works to communities and classrooms worldwide.
In addition to honoring Feature and Short Documentaries, Impact Videos, VR + 360, the SIMA Awards recognize Production Companies whose body of work demonstrates outstanding achievements in creating impact through diverse formats of visual storytelling, as well as Funders, both Corporate Entities and Grant-Makers/ Foundations whose support of social impact media is uniquely empowering todays content creators on the forefront of social change.
FIND OUT WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
JUDGING
SIMA’s JURY of award-winning media industry leaders, impact producers, educators, film and human rights experts select winners for each award category and jury prize. Films are judged on their potential to ignite critical consciousness through concept, direction, storytelling, integrity and creativity, and their ability to inspire awareness, dialogues, best practices and actions for progressive change. Entries from Production Companies and Funders are judged on their unique contributions to the landscape and culture of social impact storytelling.
ENTRY CATEGORIES & AWARDS
DOCUMENTARY FILMS (FEATURES & SHORTS)
- Feature Finalists are eligible for distribution via the SIMA X Series
- Short Finalists are eligible for distribution via the SIMA X Series and SIMA Classroom
AWARDS (FEATURES & SHORTS)
Best Documentary | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Editing
JURY PRIZES < $1000 cash or in-kind prize per category
Transparency | Stylistic Achievement | Ethos | Lens to Action
VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)
- Finalists are eligible for distribution via the SIMA X Series and SIMA Classroom
AWARDS
Best VR Experience | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Experience
JURY PRIZES < $1000 cash or in-kind prize per category
Immersive Impact | Creative Advocacy | Journalistic Achievement
IMPACT VIDEOS (INNOVATIONS & CREATIVE IMPACT)
- Finalists are eligible for distribution via SIMA Classroom
AWARDS
Humanitas | Creative Activism
JURY PRIZES < $500 cash or in-kind prize per category
Innovation | Impact
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
AWARD
Vital Voices – awarded to a company whose productions serve underrepresented and underserved stories that bring vital voices from the margins to the mainstream
Creative Impact – awarded to a company whose film productions, approach and dedication to impact storytelling is setting industry standards that raise the bar of quality, equity and diversity
IMPACT MEDIA FUNDERS (CORPORATE SPONSORS & FOUNDATIONS)
AWARDS
Catalyst – awarded to a funder who is nurturing underserved impact storytelling talent
Vanguard – awarded to a funder who is setting industry standards that raise the bar of quality, equity and diversity in the impact media space