— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —

STORIES FROM 27 COUNTRIES ADVANCE AS FINALISTS IN THE 12TH ANNUAL SOCIAL IMPACT MEDIA AWARDS (SIMA 2024)

January 11, 2024 — Only history has the power to define the genesis of a global paradigm shift, but when you’re living inside of one, it’s a slow burn. There is no single moment of change, but instead a cascading series of both small and cataclysmic events happening simultaneously. Good storytelling not only informs the future through artful documentation of these events; it connects us to our existence within them: humanity. This is what sets apart the finalists of the 12th Annual Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA 2024) in the festival landscape of documentary filmmaking. Not their ability to capture time, but their ability to wield it.

From casualties of war to casualties of climate change; from insulin to Alzheimer’s; spanning 27 nations, from China to Chile — the “SIMA 2024 Finalists give us unprecedented insight into the state of our world and those at work to change the status quo.

“SIMA 2024 Finalists reimagine a future that is worth fighting for. They bring us hauntingly close to the reality we are up against through a most powerful and vital lens that captures the resilience and beauty of our shared humanity with unparalleled access and intimacy. Thank you to all the filmmakers for your bravery and for sharing your art with the world. We are honored to support and amplify your work.”

— Daniela Kon Lieberberg, Founder & CEO

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.

SPONSORS

SIMA’s Sponsors are committed to the collaborative effort of honoring the most thought-provoking documentary films of our time. The 12th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by SIMA Studios, 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).