The annual SIMA Awards celebrate the best impact filmmaking from around the world that inspires activism, compassion and social transformation.

SIMA 2020 will open for submissions on Friday, September 6, 2019.

ABOUT THE SIMA AWARDS

DOCUMENTARY FILMS (FEATURES + SHORTS)

We are looking for original, wise, brave, eye-opening and creative productions that capture and illuminate the pulse, the people and the movements behind today’s global issues. We seek productions that raise important questions about the state of our contemporary world, and inspire viewers to reflect on the meaning and potential of social activism and social transformation.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) + 360

Social impact virtual reality films are said to be the future of empathy-building impact storytelling. We are looking for the trailblazers in this emerging field.

1. Documentaries
2. Reporting / Citizens Journalism
3. Experimental / Creative Advocacy and Campaigns

IMPACT VIDEOS (INNOVATIONS + CREATIVE IMPACT)

Organizations, foundations, creative agencies and content creators are invited to submit their work. We are looking for:

1. 1. Innovation videos that share unique insight into “how impact works”, capturing distinctive approaches, creative models, successful tactics and innovative projects in global development, education and social justice initiatives.
   2. Creative impact and awareness videos that inspire critical consciousness of current social issues, for example: social-advertising, cause marketing, changemaker features, impact poetry films, or artistic takes on social advocacy.

We are especially interested in:

• Issues relating to UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Transparency and Sustainability in the humanitarian/ human rights/ global development sector
• Everyday stories of individuals, groups and cultures
• Campaigning films geared to raising awareness and calls to action
• Examples of social engagement and activism – both positive and those that have not been successful

Example themes:

RULES & REGULATIONS

ELIGIBILITY

Films must be completed between October 2018 and September 2019 to be eligible for entry. Each title is permitted to enter once to SIMA. Titles that have entered in the past are not permitted to enter into the competition in subsequent years. Each entry may be submitted by only one individual or organization. If the film is a co-production, the entrant assumes full responsibility for notifying the other co-production partners of the entry. In the event of multiple entries for the same film, copyright ownership will determine which entry is accepted. The entrant is responsible for securing and clearing all rights.

CATEGORY RULES

FEATURE – Individual, stand-alone documentary, 40 or more minutes in length.

SHORT – Individual, stand-alone documentary, less than 40 minutes in length.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)  + 360 – Individual, stand-alone VR or 360-degree video, less than 20 minutes in length.

IMPACT VIDEO – Individual, stand-alone video, between 2 and 20 minutes in length.

(NOTE: Videos merely geared towards fundraising or brand advertising are NOT ACCEPTED)

AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Limited to two persons, one of whom must be the credited Director who exercised directorial control, and the other of whom must have a Producer/Director credit.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARDS

Best Feature Documentary | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Editing

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) + 360 AWARDS

Best VR Experience | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Experience

DOCUMENTARY SHORT AWARDS

Best Short Documentary | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Editing

IMPACT VIDEO AWARDS

Humanitas | Impact

DOCUMENTARY JURY PRIZES

Transparency | Stylistic Achievement | Ethos | Lens to Action

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) JURY PRIZES

Immersive Impact | Experimental Advocacy | Journalistic Achievement 

IMPACT VIDEO JURY PRIZES

Innovation |  Creative Impact

JUDGING

Judging of the SIMA Awards is based on overall creative excellence and educational excellence. Committees of filmmaking and global development professionals screen all entries and select all finalists. Award winners in the Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, VR, and Impact Video category are selected by a group of SIMA Judges from the finalists.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All (non-English language) entries must be sub-titled in English. Multiple projects may be submitted, however each film must have a separate completed submission form.

If your submission is short-listed as a FINALIST, we will require an electronic press kit (EPK) to be sent via email to submit@simaawards.org, and a high-res digital download of your film (MPEG4/ h264 @1080p / 10—25mbps) H264/MPEG.

ENTRY FEES

Entries must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received, notification of results, media management and storage. These fees may be paid via Paypal and credit card. You will find links for payment on your respective Submission Form page.

Early Bird Deadline (September 6th – September 26th)

Documentary Features: $ 45 | VR: $ 45 | Documentary Shorts: $30 | Impact Videos: $20

Regular Deadline (September 27th – October 10th)

Documentary Features: $ 50 | VR: $ 50 | Documentary Shorts: $35 | Impact Videos: $25

Late Deadline (October 11th – October 25th)

Documentary Features: $60 | VR: $ 60 | Documentary Shorts: $45 | Impact Videos: $35

PRE-PRESS, PUBLICITY, MEDIA

Entry in this competition grants SIMA the right to use clips (2 minutes maximum), photographs, and biographical data for publicity and promotional purposes for the SIMA website, as well as websites of SIMA’s promotional partners, media sponsors, and web aggregators.  All entrants in the Virtual Reality and Impact Video Category agree to release the digital video file of their production for online circulation (if short-listed) to be curated on SIMA websites. SIMA reserves the right to use any submitted materials for all promotional purposes, including all existing and future media platforms in perpetuity.

ARCHIVE

All entrants agree to release digital files of their production for non-circulation reference at the SIMA organizers archive. DVDs and publicity materials submitted to SIMA will not be returned.