SIMA 2025 GLOBAL OPEN CALL

FILMMAKERS + IMPACT MEDIA CREATORS + CHANGEMAKERS

LOS ANGELES (September 5, 2024) — The International Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) announces the launch of its 13th annual awards cycle (SIMA 2025) calling upon filmmakers, production companies, impact producers, creative activists, and content creators to submit works that stand out in their creativity, integrity, and merit to inspire social change. As the world continues to grapple with ongoing challenges — from the devastating impacts of climate change to the relentless fight for social justice, from the enduring effects of war and civil unrest to the unprecedented devolution of fundamental human rights — SIMA 2025 invites narratives that delve deeply into the heart of these critical issues.

“We are seeking films that push the boundaries of impact cinema, that go deep beyond the surface, uncovering the nuanced stories of resilience, resistance, ingenuity, and the human spirit – films that don’t just intend to change outcomes, but forge perspectives that transform the way all who witness them see the world”.

– Daniela Kon Lieberberg, SIMA Founder & Executive Director

Since its inception in 2012, SIMA has redefined the role of film in advocacy, elevating stories that challenge the status quo, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Over the past thirteen years, SIMA has supported and championed more than 4,200 filmmakers spanning 140 countries, setting the gold standard in social-impact filmmaking. The award-winning films of SIMA are distinguished by their ability to not only educate but to catalyze change by sparking dialogue and inspiring viewers to engage with the world around them.

Last year’s selected films are still participating in SIMA’s Traveling Series, screening across 30 countries in diverse film, human rights, and community forums — from film festivals in Buenos Aires to remote villages in Liberia — igniting dialogues, changing attitudes, mobilizing local community activism, and supporting changemakers and organizations in amplifying their most important work. The 2024 selected short documentaries, distributed via SIMA’s education platform, SIMA Academy, are being seen in schools and leadership forums by over 140,000 students in more than 100 countries, invigorating teacher training programs, youth advocacy workshops, student film clubs, and activations that inspire local impact projects around the globe.

SIMA 2025 is seeking submissions for Feature and Short Documentaries, Impact Videos, Extended Reality (XR)/Interactive Media Projects, and Production Companies whose portfolios exemplify exceptional accomplishments in effecting change through varied visual storytelling forms. In addition to these, SIMA 2025 marks the addition of a new entry category, and one of the world’s first awards of its kind: the inaugural Impact Campaign Award. This award recognizes those who achieve and enable lasting change by implementing innovative strategies that go beyond the screen. Whether from small or massive-budget productions, SIMA seeks entries from Impact Producers and their teams that demonstrate innovative approaches, effective partnerships, and measurable outcomes in driving social change and fostering a sustainable culture of impact.

Submissions will compete for awards, cash prizes, and media features, with select films invited to participate in SIMA’s coveted year-round distribution programs. These include the award-winning global education platform SIMA Academy, serving students in over 100 countries, and the SIMA Traveling Series, which partners with human rights film festivals and community organizations to bring impactful stories to local communities worldwide.

As the world’s premier documentary awards competition and curator in the social impact film space, SIMA continues to uphold its commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and integrity. The organization serves as a vital nexus for storytellers who push the boundaries of creative expression. As filmmakers, production companies, and impact media visionaries, you have the power to craft stories that transcend borders and break down barriers. SIMA 2025 calls on you to explore the intersections of art and activism, to blur the lines between documentary filmmaking and social advocacy, and to contribute to a global dialogue that is as brave as it is necessary. Your narratives can serve as a catalyst for change, igniting a sense of urgency and possibility in audiences around the world.

SUBMIT TODAY

SUBMIT + LEARN MORE: SIMAAWARDS.ORG/SUBMIT

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 10, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Erinn Sullivan, CMO, SIMA Studios, erinn@simastudios.org

ENTRY CATEGORIES

With an uncompromising pursuit of the highest standards in social impact storytelling, SIMA invites entries across diverse formats, including: Feature and Short Documentaries, Impact Videos, Extended Reality (XR)/Interactive, Impact Campaigns, and Production Companies whose portfolio exemplifies exceptional accomplishments in effecting change through varied visual storytelling forms.