OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
September 7, 2022

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
September 16, 2022

REGULAR DEADLINE
September 30, 2022

LATE / FINAL DEADLINE
October 7, 2022

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
January 10, 2023

WINNERS ANNOUNCED
February 9, 2023

ABOUT

The 11th annual SIMA Awards celebrate eye-opening impact cinema that exemplifies excellence in its potential to inspire social change. Each year, films are selected from over 140 countries around the world, competing for honors, cash prizes, media features, distribution opportunities, and entry into SIMA’s signature film programs. Finalists will be announced on January 10, 2023 and Winners on February 9, 2023.

WHAT

SIMA is looking for original, wise, brave, eye-opening and creative productions that increase the awareness of viewers to local and global issues, to the resilience of humans facing deprivation, to the politics and movements of human rights, environmental and social justice, and to efforts and agents of change worldwide. Entry Categories include: Feature Documentaries, Short Documentaries, Extended Reality (XR)/ Interactive, Impact Videos and Production Companies.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

OUTREACH TOOLKIT | SEPTEMBER 7 — OCTOBER 7, 2022

NEWSLETTER

(copy & paste)

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.

INSTAGRAM

🎥 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. @idaorg, @docnational, NONOT, @witness_org @doubleexposurefestival and @firelight_media

FACEBOOK

🎥 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.  @documentary.org, @DOCorg, NONOT, @WITNESS @DoubleExposureFestival and @firelightmedia

#SIMA2023  🎥 OPEN CALL:

Impact Filmmakers, Production Companies, Creative Activists —> submit your #Documentaries, #XR / #Interactive, #Impact #Videos & Companies/Studios to the world-renowned 11th annual @simaawards! 

SUBMIT BY OCT. 7 2022 

👉 simaawards.org/submit

🎥 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.

FOUNDER PULL QUOTE

“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

#SIMA2023 SPONSORS

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

ANNUAL SIMA AWARDS

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.

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

108 outreach partners

59 brand ambassadors

2,500+ filmmakers (representing 147 countries)

2,300+ educators

75,000+ students

600+ media organizations

196 countries

ALL-TIME STATS

2,686 films submitted

147 countries

313 films short-listed

173 films awarded

200+ films distributed

104 languages

500+ screenings 

6 continents

FILMMAKER GENDER

57.4% FEMALE

30.3% MALE

.74% NON BINARY

FILMMAKER AGE

1.9% 18-25 YRS

25.81% 26-34 YRS

33.87% 35-44 YRS

20.16% 45-54 YRS

7.26% 55-64 YRS

CONTACT

For all press or partnership inquiries, please email us directly.