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OPEN CALL: The International Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) is now open for submissions for their 11th annual awards (#SIMA2023). Impact filmmakers, documentarians, production companies, and creative activists are invited to submit their work. SIMA is looking for brave, eye-opening and creative films and interactive media projects that raise important questions about the state of our contemporary world; including production companies committed to impact storytelling that inspires activism and social transformation. 

ENTRY CATEGORIES: Feature Documentaries, Short Documentaries, Extended Reality (XR)/ Interactive, Impact Videos, and Production Companies.

SUBMIT BY: October 7, 2022 at simaawards.org/submit #SIMA2023

The 11th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by The Foundation for Systemic Change (FSC), Milatido, The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), The International Documentary Association (IDA), Double Exposure, WITNESS, Firelight Media, and NONOT.

“Since our inception, we have aimed at setting new industry standards that raise the bar of quality, integrity and diversity. When I created SIMA 11 years ago I had one goal: to celebrate and distribute the kind of social impact filmmaking that amplifies the stories of marginalized communities, challenges oppressive mindsets, and inspires audiences to take a critical eye and stance to systems of injustice. We have witnessed firsthand the influence of storytelling to inspire social change and we have seen change ripple across communities through the very act of experiencing a story and being left with an idea and prospect to be proactive in transforming the status quo. We cannot wait to witness the power of your films.”

— Daniela Kon Lieberberg, Founder & CEO

SIMA’s Sponsors are committed to the collaborative effort of honoring the most thought-provoking documentary films of our time. The 11th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by The Foundation for Systemic Change (FSC), Milatido, The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), The International Documentary Association (IDA), Double Exposure, WITNESS, Firelight Media, and NONOT

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.

“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”