OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
September 8, 2020
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
October 28, 2020
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
January 12, 2021
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
February 10, 2021
ABOUT
2021 WINNERS OF THE 9TH ANNUAL SOCIAL IMPACT MEDIA AWARDS (SIMA) ANNOUNCED:INTRODUCING THE NEW GOLD STANDARD IN IMPACT FILMMAKING.
LOS ANGELES (February 10, 2021) – The art of storytelling is alive and reimagined in this year’s #SIMA2021 winners.
To meet some of the lives behind the global fight for equality and social justice, and to witness the pressing issues they represent first-hand, look no further than the official winners of the 9th Annual International Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA 2021).
SIMA, the non-profit impact media agency that celebrates, curates and distributes documentaries and creative media projects that advance positive social change, announced their 2021 festival winners this morning. Chosen from 40 finalists spanning 20 countries, the SIMA 2021 winners represent the future of filmmaking as we know it: honest, raw, diverse, creative, and deeply personal stories that move, enlighten and transform our world.
PARTNER ASSETS
NEWSLETTER
Amidst a global fight for equality, freedom, human rights and journalistic integrity, #SIMA2021 Winners bring audiences face-to-face with some of our world’s most eye-opening, unique and urgent perspectives. “We could not be more proud and in awe of the content creators, filmmakers, social commentators and creative truth-seekers we get to support this year. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to move, enlighten and transform our world.” – Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive. Meet the new gold standard for #ImpactCinema: simaawards.org/2021-winners
The art of impact storytelling is alive and reimagined in this year’s @simastudios #SIMA2021 winners. Amidst a global fight for equality, freedom, human rights and journalistic integrity, #SIMA2021 Winners bring audiences face-to-face with some of our world’s most eye-opening, unique and urgent perspectives.
“We could not be more proud and in awe of the content creators, filmmakers, social commentators and creative truth-seekers we get to support this year. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to move, enlighten and transform our world.” – Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive
Meet the new gold standard for #ImpactCinema: simaawards.org/2021-winners
The 9th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by @viceimpact @humansustainabilityproject @ctlst_media, @witness_org @docnational @seedandspark
The art of impact storytelling is alive and reimagined in this year’s @SocialImpactMediaAwards winners. Amidst a global fight for equality, freedom, human rights and journalistic integrity, #SIMA2021 Winners bring audiences face-to-face with some of our world’s most eye-opening, unique and urgent perspectives.
“We could not be more proud and in awe of the content creators, filmmakers, social commentators and creative truth-seekers we get to support this year. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to move, enlighten and transform our world.” – Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive
Meet the new gold standard for #ImpactCinema: simaawards.org/2021-winners
The 9th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by @viceimpact @humansustainabilityproject @ctlst_media @DOCorg @WITNESS @seedandspark
CONGRATULATIONS @simaawards Winners! This is documentary in its purest, most authentic form. The art of storytelling is alive and thriving in this year’s #SIMA2021 winners. Meet the new gold standard for #ImpactCinema: simaawards.org/2021-winners
The art of impact storytelling is alive and reimagined in this year’s #SIMA2021 winners. Amidst a global fight for equality, freedom, human rights and journalistic integrity, #SIMA2021 Winners bring audiences face-to-face with some of our world’s most eye-opening, unique and urgent perspectives.
“We could not be more proud and in awe of the content creators, filmmakers, social commentators and creative truth-seekers we get to support this year. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to move, enlighten and transform our world.” – Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive
Meet the new gold standard for #ImpactCinema: simaawards.org/2021-winners
The 9th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by VICE Impact, Human Sustainability Project, CTLST, The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), WITNESS and SEED & SPARK
PRESS ASSETS
HISTORY
In 2012, award-winning documentary filmmaker and human rights activist, Daniela Kon founded SIMA to support and champion excellence in social impact filmmaking by launching an annual awards program and global distribution platforms that amplify the power of media to foster a world that is free from prejudice, discrimination and oppression.
SIMA started as the first and only international media competition honoring achievements in the creative, human rights and humanitarian fields. Today, SIMA is the most renowned global curator in the social impact space, serving independent film, academic and global social justice industries around the world.
SIMA’S FOUNDER ON THIS YEAR’S WINNERS
“We could not be more proud and in awe of the content creators, filmmakers, social commentators and creative truth-seekers we get to support this year. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to move, enlighten and transform our world.”
– Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive
SIMA’S FOUNDER ON THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS
“We are witnessing extraordinary times. Communities are coming together like never before to take a collective stance against injustice, against the exploitation of our planet, against the way the crimes of history of discrimination and oppression have gone unpunished with no lessons learned. SIMA 2021 filmmakers are directing their lenses courageously towards those that are saying “enough!” We are honored to amplify these vital voices.”
– Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive
QUOTES ABOUT SIMA
“These courageous filmmakers and activists re-imagine socio-political filmmaking. They set new standards for transparency, integrity, and creativity, while transforming their cameras, their narratives, and by extension their audiences, into vehicles for social justice. We’re proud to champion such an extraordinary range of global stories and filmmakers …” – Daniela Kon, SIMA Founder and Executive Director
“[SIMA films are] visual storytelling that can affect your mind, body, and soul.” – David Craig, Assistant Professor at USC’s Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism
“SIMA is quickly becoming the gold standard for social impact films, and the genre is quickly becoming our planet’s truest form of journalism. The content SIMA draws is jaw dropping.” – Trevor Hall, President of Creative Visions Foundation
“Necessary viewing for anyone concerned with international affairs and human rights issues.” – Andrew McGregor, Founder of Tiziano Project
“Watching these films was like school of the best, most expansive and inspiring kind.” – Patricia Billings, Co-founder of Milet Publishing
“Abandon the cultural conditioning of the ‘Do-Gooder Industrial Complex’ with each and every SIMA Film.” – Shawn Humphrey, Professor, Innovator & Development Consultant”
GLOBAL NETWORK
23,000,000+ media impressions yearly
5,000,000+ direct media reach
102 outreach partners
50 brand ambassadors
2,000+ filmmakers
600+ media organizations in
196 countries
ALL-TIME STATS
(2013-present)
2,525 films submitted
147 countries
273 films short-listed
56 films awarded
118 films distributed
104 languages
250+ screenings
6 continents
FILMMAKER GENDER
53.3% FEMALE
41.8% MALE
1.1% NON BINARY
3.8% DECLINE TO STATE
FILMMAKER AGE
1.9% 18-25 YRS
36.3% 26-34 YRS
28.4% 35-44 YRS
14% 45-54 YRS
5.3% 55-64 YRS
1.2% 65+ YRS
5% DECLINE TO STATE
CONTACT
For all press or partnership inquiries, please email us directly.