OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
September 7, 2023
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
September 15, 2023
REGULAR DEADLINE
September 30, 2023
LATE / FINAL DEADLINE
October 7, 2023
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
January 11, 2024
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
February 8, 2024
ABOUT
The 12th annual SIMA Awards celebrate eye-opening impact cinema that exemplifies excellence in its potential to inspire social change. Each year, films and media projects 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. Meet the finalists below. Winners will be announced on February 8, 2024.
WHAT
STORIES FROM 27 COUNTRIES ADVANCE AS FINALISTS IN THE 12TH ANNUAL SOCIAL IMPACT MEDIA AWARDS (SIMA 2024)
Entry Categories include: Feature Documentaries, Short Documentaries, Extended Reality (XR)/ Interactive, Impact AI, Impact Videos and Production Companies.
FINALISTS
OUTREACH TOOLKIT | JANUARY 11, 2024 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024
NEWSLETTER (extended version)
#SIMA2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED: Stories from 27 countries advance as finalists in the 12th Annual Social Impact Media Awards.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and the agents and artists of change reimagining a future that’s worth fighting for.
For over a decade, the finalists that pass through SIMA have been exposing the injustices happening across our world — inviting audiences to reimagine the world and their power within it. Good storytelling has always been an effective vehicle for change and this year’s SIMA 2024 Finalists have set the gold standard for what that responsibility means. Through compelling narratives and unparalleled access, these bold and diverse filmmakers not only amplify the voices of marginalized communities and individuals but also motivate and embolden audiences to interrogate and challenge the oppressive systems hindering our future from realizing its full potential.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists are now eligible for entry into SIMA’s Global Traveling Series and online education platform, SIMA Academy, which reaches over 117,000 students around the globe. Now moving on to the final round of judging, they will compete for awards and cash prizes of up to $1,000 per category. Winners will be announced on February 8, 2024.
Congratulations filmmakers, we are honored to support and amplify your work.
View the shortlist: simaawards.org/2024-finalists
The 12th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by Milatido, Foundation of Systemic Change, GSR Foundation, International Documentary Association (IDA), Doc Society, Firelight Media, DC/DOX, Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), Documentary Australia, and Instituto Multimedia DerHumALC (IMD).
NEWSLETTER (shortened version)
#SIMA2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED: Stories from 27 countries advance as finalists in the 12th Annual Social Impact Media Awards.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and the agents and artists of change reimagining a future that’s worth fighting for.
Congratulations filmmakers, we are honored to support and amplify your work.
Winners will be announced on February 8, 2024.
View the shortlist: simaawards.org/2024-finalists
#SIMA2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED: Stories from 27 countries advance as finalists in the 12th Annual Social Impact Media Awards.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and the agents and artists of change reimagining a future that’s worth fighting for.
Congratulations filmmakers, we are honored to support and amplify your work.
Winners will be announced on February 8, 2024.
View the shortlist @simastudios: simaawards.org/2024-finalists
The 12th Annual SIMA Awards 🏆 are powered by @_milatidobymila, Foundation of Systemic Change, GSR Foundation, @idaorg, @thedocsociety, @firelight_media, @dcdoxfest, @undocufc, @docnational, @documentaryaustralia, and @imd.org.ar.
#SIMA2024 #FilmFestival #Documentary #Docs #ImpactCinema #SIMADocs
#SIMA2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED: Stories from 27 countries advance as finalists in the 12th Annual @SocialImpactMediaAwards.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and the agents and artists of change reimagining a future that’s worth fighting for.
Congratulations filmmakers, we are honored to support and amplify your work.
View the shortlist: simaawards.org/2024-finalists
The 12th Annual SIMA Awards 🏆 are powered by Milatido, Foundation of Systemic Change, GSR Foundation, International Documentary Association (IDA), Doc Society, Firelight Media, DC/DOX, Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), Documentary Australia, and Instituto Multimedia DerHumALC (IMD).
X (TWITTER)
#SIMA2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED: Stories from 27 countries advance as finalists in the 12th Annual Social Impact Media Awards @SIMA Studios.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and the agents and artists of change reimagining a future that’s worth fighting for.
For over a decade, the finalists that pass through SIMA have been exposing the injustices happening across our world — inviting audiences to reimagine the world and their power within it. Good storytelling has always been an effective vehicle for change and this year’s SIMA 2024 Finalists have set the gold standard for what that responsibility means. Through compelling narratives and unparalleled access, these bold and diverse filmmakers not only amplify the voices of marginalized communities and individuals but also motivate and embolden audiences to interrogate and challenge the oppressive systems hindering our future from realizing its full potential.
The SIMA 2024 Finalists are now eligible for entry into SIMA’s Global Traveling Series and online education platform, SIMA Academy, which reaches over 117,000 students around the globe. Now moving on to the final round of judging, they will compete for awards and cash prizes of up to $1,000 per category. Winners will be announced on February 8, 2024.
Congratulations filmmakers, we are honored to support and amplify your work.
View the shortlist: simaawards.org/2024-finalists
The 12th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by Milatido, Foundation of Systemic Change, GSR Foundation, International Documentary Association (IDA), Doc Society, Firelight Media, DC/DOX, Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), Documentary Australia, and Instituto Multimedia DerHumALC (IMD).
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
102 outreach partners
50 brand ambassadors
3,000+ filmmakers
4,600+ educators
117,400+ students
600+ media organizations
196 countries
ALL-TIME STATS
3,253 films submitted
147 countries
450 films short-listed
191 films awarded
300+ films distributed
104 languages
500+ screenings
6 continents
FILMMAKER GENDER
53.3% FEMALE
41.8% MALE
1.1% NON BINARY
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.
#SIMA2024 SPONSORS
THANK YOU to our sponsors for supporting the championing of creative storytelling that inspires social change and for helping to share the best global impact cinema with communities and students around the world.
