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SIMA Studios + Awards

A global impact media agency amplifying the power of creative projects to advance social change.

The annual SIMA AWARDS champion 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, industry accolades, media features, distribution opportunities, and entry into SIMA’s signature film programs. Our international Film Programs: SIMAx, SIMA Classroom and SIMA VOD, maximize the impact and exposure of the best films from our annual awards. Through unique partnerships and collaborations with individuals, organizations and educational institutions, we host year-round screening events that cultivate awareness and engagement from the grassroots to the governmental level.

10/05/2026

‼️ FINAL DEADLINE ‼️ FRIDAY, OCT. 9: SIMA 2027 Call for Entries, celebrating 15 years of documentary storytelling that moves the world.

Submit. Entry Categories. Rules. → SIMAAWARDS.COM

SUBMIT YOUR WORK:

→ Feature Documentaries
→ Short Documentaries
→ Impact Videos
→ XR / Interactive Media Projects
→ Impact AI
→ Production Companies

↺ Reshare and tag filmmakers + impact creatives you know!

The 15th Annual SIMA Awards are sponsored by SIMA Studios, The Foundation for Systemic Change, Human Sustainability Project, Julie Down, Will & Agency / PUBLIKUM, SOUTS, and the International Documentary Association (IDA). With additional support from Firelight Media, EURODOC -, One World Media, FIFDH Geneva, Seed&Spark, Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), DC/DOX Festival, Documentary Australia, Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival, Africa No Filter, Razom, SticksNFestival, Millennium Campus Network (MCN), and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

09/09/2026

SIMA 2027 Call for Entries || Sept.9 - Oct.9 || Celebrating 15 years of documentary storytelling that moves the world.

Submit. Entry Categories. Rules. → SIMAAWARDS.COM

For fifteen years, SIMA has recognized and amplified the work of filmmakers from around the world. Winning films become part of SIMA’s year-round distribution network, reaching classrooms, universities, communities, and cultural institutions across 140+ countries.

FILMMAKERS || CHANGEMAKERS || CREATIVE CATALYSTS

SUBMIT YOUR WORK:
→ Feature Documentaries
→ Short Documentaries
→ Impact Videos
→ XR / Interactive Media Projects
→ Impact AI
→ Production Companies

Early Bird Deadline: Sept.18 || Final Deadline: Oct.9

↺ Reshare and tag filmmakers + impact creatives you know!

The 15th Annual SIMA Awards are sponsored by SIMA Studios, the Foundation for Systemic Change, Human Sustainability Project, Julie Down, PUBLIKUM, SOUTS, and the International Documentary Association. With additional support from Firelight Media, EURODOC, One World Media, FIFDH, Seed&Spark, DOC Canada, DC/DOX, Documentary Australia, Double Exposure, Africa No Filter, Razom for Ukraine, SticksNFestival, Millennium Campus Network, and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

08/24/2026

Celebrating 15 years of documentary storytelling that moves the world.

—SAVE THE DATE—

opens for submissions September 9, 2026

The 15th Annual SIMA Awards are sponsored by SIMA Studios, the Foundation for Systemic Change, Human Sustainability Project, Julie Down, SOUTS, and the International Documentary Association, with additional support from Firelight Media, EURODOC, One World Media, FIFDH, Seed&Spark, DOC Canada, DC/DOX, Documentary Australia, Double Exposure, Africa No Filter, Razom for Ukraine, SticksNFestival, Millennium Campus Network, and the Global Campus of Human Rights.

02/04/2026

SIMA 2026 Winners Announced 🏆 Championing the art of documentary and impact media where creative excellence meets social resonance, the winners of the 14th Annual Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) center authentic global narratives rooted in lived experience. Through intimate and unflinching portraits of humanity, these works demonstrate that with nonfiction storytelling of this caliber, impact isn’t aspirational—it’s inevitable. Congratulations filmmakers!

WINNERS LIST:
https://simastudios.org/press-release-sima-2026-winners/

🏆 FEATURE DOCUMENTARY WINNERS 🏆

Best Feature Documentary and Best Director
CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS (اوزاک یوللار) | Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni

Best Cinematography
CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY | Ben Sturgulewski

Best Editing and Lens to Action Jury Prize (Sponsored by Ethologics)
SHUFFLE | Benjamin Flaherty

Best Sound
VIKTOR | Olivier Sarbil

Transparency Jury Prize (Sponsored by SIMA)
TRADE SECRET | Abraham Joffe

Stylistic Achievement Jury Prize (Sponsored by SIMA)
SEEDS | Brittany Shyne

🏆 SHORT DOCUMENTARY WINNERS 🏆

Best Short Documentary
ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS | Joshua Seftel

Best Director
THE QUILTERS | Jenifer McShane

Best Cinematography
IMADE | Ignacio Acconcia González

Best Editing and Ethos Jury Prize (Sponsored by Ethologics)
CHILDREN NO MORE: WERE AND ARE GONE | Hilla Medalia

Best Sound
FENICE | Sterling Hampton IV

Systemic Change Award (Sponsored by The Foundation for Systemic Change)
HOW TO SUE THE KLAN | John Beder

🌟DOC SPECIAL MENTIONS 🌟

COEXISTENCE, MY ASS! | Amber Fares

MOTHERS OF CHIBOK | Joel 'Kachi Benson

LOOT: A STORY OF CRIME AND REDEMPTION | Don Millar

YURLU | COUNTRY | Yaara Bou Melhem

WE WERE THE SCENERY | Christopher Radcliff

WITH GRACE | Dina Mwende and Julia Dahr

THE REALITY OF HOPE | Joe Hunting

SALLIE’S ASHES | Brennan Robideaux

🏆 IMPACT VIDEO WINNERS 🏆

Humanitas Award
IMILLA SKATE: THE CHOLITA SKATERS OF BOLIVIA | Rebecca Basaure and Mariano Carranza

Creative Activism Award
FREEDOM (UHURU) | Olz McCoy

Innovation Jury Prize (Sponsored by Ethologics)
CLASSROOM 4 | Eden Wurmfeld

Impact Jury Prize (Sponsored by Ethologics)
51ST STATE | Hannah Rosenzweig

🏆 IMPACT XR WINNERS 🏆

Immersive Impact Award
EMPATHY CREATURE | Director: Mélodie Mousset

Creative Advocacy Jury Prize (Sponsored by SIMA)
LESS THAN 5GR OF SAFFRON
Director | Négar Motevalymeidanshah
Producer | Gwenaëlle Clauwaert

🏆 IMPACT AI WINNER 🏆

Impact AI Award
HEARING THEIR VOICES | Generative AI For Good

🌟 IMPACT XR SPECIAL MENTIONS 🌟

EDDIE AND I
Director | Maya Shekel
Producers | Katharina Weser, Maya Shekel, Amaury Campion, Sandrina Koppitz, Yuval Kella, Anna Zuckerman

THE EXPLODING GIRL VR (LA FILLE QUI EXPLOSE VR)
Directors | Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
Producers | Oriane Hurard, Arnaud Colinart, Antoine Cayrol, Pierre Zandrowicz, Mando Stathi, Myrto Stathi

🏆 IMPACT CAMPAIGN WINNERS 🏆

Legacy Award
SONGS FROM THE HOLE
Impact Campaign Producers | Richie Reseda, Contessa Gayles, Rahael Asfaw, JJ’88, and David Felix Sutcliffe
Film Director | Contessa Gayles

Catalyst Award Humble Lion Jury Prize (Sponsored by Media for Change )
ASOG
Impact Campaign Producers | Amanda Ernst, Cecilia Mejia, and Sean Devlin
Film Director | Sean Devlin

🏆 PRODUCTION COMPANY WINNERS 🏆

Vital Voices Award
MULTITUDE FILMS

Creative Impact Award
OPTIMIST

🌟 IMPACT CAMPAIGN SPECIAL MENTIONS 🌟

ALL THAT I AM
Impact Campaign Producer | Tone Grøttjord-Glenne
Film Director | Tone Grøttjord-Glenne

TIGRE GENTE
Impact Campaign Producers | Natalie Conneely and Amy Ip
Film Director | Elizabeth Unger

DEVI
Impact Campaign Producer | Subina Shrestha
Film Director | Subina Shrestha

VOLVERTE A VER / TO SEE YOU AGAIN
Impact Campaign Producers | Merle Iliná and Magali Rocha Donnadieu
Film Director | Carolina Corral Paredes

🌟PRODUCTION COMPANY SPECIAL MENTIONS 🌟

DEUSDARÁ FILMES

FIELD OF VISION

01/07/2026

SIMA 2026 Shortlist Announced 📣 Spanning 43 countries, the finalists of the 14th Annual Social Impact Media Awards honor authentic narratives rooted in lived experience, returning us to presence and meaning through intimate and unflinching portraits of humanity.

Select finalists are now eligible for consideration in Cinema Across Borders, SIMA’s traveling screening series reaching communities in 30+ countries, as well as SIMA Academy, the award-winning education platform engaging 160,000+ students across 100+ countries.

As the competition enters its final judging phase, filmmakers will compete for awards with winners announced on February 4, 2026. 🏆

Congratulations finalists! ➡ https://bit.ly/SIMA-2026-Finalists

The 14th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by SIMA STUDIOS, The Foundation for Systemic Change, ETHOLOGICS, FIPADOC - International Documentary Festival, International Documentary Association (IDA), Firelight Media, DC/DOX Festival, Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival, Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), Documentary Australia, The Good Media Network, Women's Voices Now, Doc Edge DOCUBOX EADFF, Media for Change.

⭐ FEATURE DOCUMENTARY ⭐

A QUIET LOVE
Garry Keane | Ireland, England

CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
Ben Sturgulewski | Afghanistan, Germany, United States

COEXISTENCE, MY ASS!
Amber Fares | Israel, Palestine, United States, France, Canada

CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS (اوزاک یوللار)
Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni | Iran, Netherlands, United States, Germany, Qatar, Chile, Canada

INSIDE GAZA
Hélène Lam Trong | Belgium, Cyprus, France, Qatar, UK, Palestine

LIFE AFTER
Reid Davenport | United States, Canada

LOOT: A STORY OF CRIME AND REDEMPTION
Don Millar | Cambodia, Canada

MISTRESS DISPELLER
Elizabeth Lo | China, United States

MOTHERS OF CHIBOK
Joel 'Kachi Benson | Nigeria, United States

NINXS (NIÑXS)
Kani Lapuerta | Mexico, Germany

SEEDS
Brittany Shyne | United States

SHUFFLE
Benjamin Flaherty | United States

THE SPIES AMONG US
Jamie Coughlin Silverman and Gabriel Silverman | USA, Germany

TRADE SECRET
Abraham Joffe | UK, United States, Norway, Greenland, Canada, Panama, Switzerland, Svalbard, Australia

VIKTOR
Olivier Sarbil | Ukraine, United States, Denmark

YURLU | COUNTRY
Yaara Bou Melhem | Australia

⭐ SHORT DOCUMENTARY ⭐

ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS
Joshua Seftel | United States

CHILDREN NO MORE: WERE AND ARE GONE
Hilla Medalia | Israel, United States

EXODUS
Bob Miller | Sudan, United States

FENICE
Sterling Hampton IV | United States

HOW TO SUE THE KLAN
John Beder | United States

IMADE
Ignacio Acconcia González | Spain

IT'S DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS
Billie JD Porter | United States

SALLIE’S ASHES
Brennan Robideaux | United States

THE QUILTERS
Jenifer McShane | United States

THE REALITY OF HOPE
Joe Hunting | United States, UK

WE WERE THE SCENERY
Christopher Radcliff | United States, Canada

WITH GRACE
Dina Mwende and Julia Dahr | Kenya, Norway

⭐ IMPACT VIDEO ⭐

51ST STATE
Hannah Rosenzweig | United States

ALL HEART
Michael Govier and Will McCormack | United States

CLASSROOM 4
Eden Wurmfeld | United States

FREEDOM (UHURU)
Olz McCoy | Tanzania, UK

HEALING THE HEART THROUGH ART
Natsumi Koakutsu | United States

IMILLA SKATE: THE CHOLITA SKATERS OF BOLIVIA
Rebecca Basaure and Mariano Carranza | Bolivia

MY GRANDMOTHER IS A SKYDIVER
Polina Piddubna | Germany

NEVER TOO LATE
Michael Johnston | Australia

ROOTED IN RESILIENCE: INDIGENOUS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS LEADING WITH TRADITION
Michelle Alvarado | United States, Canada

⭐ XR (EXTENDED REALITY) + INTERACTIVE ⭐

ECHOES OF THE JORDAN
Roy Kimhi | Israel

EDDIE AND I
Maya Shekel | France, Germany, Israel

EMPATHY CREATURE
Melodie Mousset | Switzerland

LESS THAN 5GR OF SAFFRON
Négar Motevalymeidanshah | France

REVIVAL ROADSHOW
Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy | Netherlands, Malta, Australia

THE EAST SEA
Michel D.T. Lam | Canada

THE EXPLODING GIRL VR (LA FILLE QUI EXPLOSE VR)
Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel | France, Greece

⭐ PRODUCTION COMPANY ⭐

DEUSDARÁ FILMES
Field of Vision
FISHBOWL FILMS
GUSTO MOVING PICTURES
MULTITUDE FILMS
Optimist
ROGAN PRODUCTIONS
SHINE GLOBAL
UNTITLED FILM WORKS
WILLA
WITHOUT EXCEPTION FILMS
UTOPIA DOCS

⭐ IMPACT CAMPAIGN ⭐

ALL THAT I AM
Impact Campaign Producer | Tone Grøttjord-Glenne
Film Director | Tone Grøttjord-Glenne
Norway, Denmark

ASOG
Impact Campaign Producers | Amanda Ernst, Cecilia Mejia, and Sean Devlin
Film Director | Sean Devlin
Philippines, Canada, United States, UK

DEVI
Impact Campaign Producer | Subina Shrestha
Film Director | Subina Shrestha
Nepal, UK, South Korea

FROM HERE
Impact Campaign Producers | Olga Gerstenberger, Chelo Alvarez-Stehle, and Christina Antonakos-Wallace
Film Director | Christina Antonakos-Wallace
United States, Germany

HOLDING MOSES
Impact Campaign Producer | Rivkah Beth Medow
Film Directors | Rivkah Beth Medow and Jen Rainin
United States, Japan

PLASTIC PEOPLE: THE HIDDEN CRISIS OF MICROPLASTICS
Impact Campaign Producer | Sholeh Alemi Fabbri
Film Directors | Ben Addelman and Ziya Tong
Canada, United States, Netherlands, UK, Rwanda, France, Turkey, Philippines

SONGS FROM THE HOLE
Impact Campaign Producers | Richie Reseda, Contessa Gayles, Rahael Asfaw, JJ’88, and David Felix Sutcliffe
Film Director | Contessa Gayles
United States

STATE OF SILENCE
Impact Campaign Producers | Daniela Rodríguez Barrera and Santiago Maza Stern
Film Director | Santiago Maza Stern
Mexico

TIGRE GENTE
Impact Campaign Producers | Natalie Conneely and Amy Ip
Film Director | Elizabeth Unger
Bolivia, China, United States

TO KILL A TIGER
Impact Campaign Producer | Nisha Pahuja
Film Director | Nisha Pahuja
Canada, India

UNION
Impact Campaign Producer | Mars Verrone
Film Directors | Stephen Maing and Brett Story
United States

VOLVERTE A VER / TO SEE YOU AGAIN
Impact Campaign Producers | Merle Iliná and Magali Rocha Donnadieu
Film Director | Carolina Corral Paredes
Mexico

YINTAH
Impact Campaign Producers | Monica Victoria and Jennifer Wickham
Film Directors | Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, and Michael Toledano
Canada

12/29/2025

Social Impact — it takes a village. Thank you for an incredible year of bold storytelling, invaluable partnerships and global impact.

Peace, love and health for you and yours in 2026.

xx
The SIMA Team

simastudios.org/support-sima/

11/13/2025

If SIMA has ever stirred something in you, inspired you, moved you, or supported your work in any way, we’re asking for a small but meaningful commitment to help protect the heart of what we do.

For over a decade, SIMA has championed the intersection of documentary cinema and social impact — carrying powerful independent storytelling into classrooms, communities, and human rights forums across 140+ countries. What began as a belief that film can open hearts and shift society has grown into a global ecosystem that:

→ Nurtures courageous filmmakers and authentic voices
→ Equips young people with media literacy and civic agency
→ Connects communities through stories that inspire action

Last year alone, impact cinema reached 160,000+ students. We watched them turn inspiration into tangible change — from launching zero-waste cafeterias and social enterprises to leading anti-bullying campaigns and climate initiatives, and more.

But independent voices are harder to sustain. Access to integrity-driven storytelling — the kind that sparks empathy and change — is increasingly at risk.

That’s why we’re asking you to stand with us.

🌱 Become a SIMA Champion — $5/month

Your support keeps SIMA’s mission alive. Every contribution — no matter how small — helps protect a space where film doesn’t just reflect the world, but reimagines it.

🔗 DONATE NOW: simastudios.org/support-sima

With heartfelt gratitude & appreciation, SIMA

10/09/2025

That’s a wrap! Submissions for The 14th Annual Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA 2026) close tonight!

Last chance to submit your:

▪️ Feature & Short Documentaries
▪️ Impact Videos
▪️ XR / Interactive Media Projects
▪️ Impact Campaigns
▪️ Production Companies

SIMA 2026 champions storytelling at the intersection of creative excellence and social resonance.

🏆 SUBMIT 🎥 Entry Categories + Rules 🔗 https://www.simaawards.com/

Photo: TALIBE Screening, Film Directed by Daniela Kon Lieberberg

10/08/2025

LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT 🎥 Doc Filmmakers + Impact Media Creatives submit your work to SIMA 2026 by Oct. 9!

“At the heart of SIMA is a commitment to stories that are both artistically bold and socially indispensable. Creative excellence means more than technical mastery; it is filmmaking with a distinct voice, films that surprise, challenge, and breathe life into even the most difficult truths. Social resonance is what transforms those works into catalysts—stories that do not simply document injustice, but humanize it; that do not merely inform, but transform. These are films that uphold dignity, invite empathy, and stir our collective conscience. We cannot wait to see and champion your work this year.” — Daniela Kon Lieberberg, Founder & CEO, SIMA

🏆 SUBMIT + Entry Categories + Rules 🔗 simaawards.org

The 14th Annual SIMA Awards are powered by SIMA STUDIOS, The Foundation for Systemic Change, Ethologics FIPADOC - International Documentary Festival International Documentary Association (IDA) Firelight Media & Firelight Films DC/DOX Festival Double Exposure Film Festival Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) Documentary Australia The Good Media Network Women's Voices Now Doc Edge and Docubox

09/26/2025

SIMA News | September 2025 — SIMA 2026 Final Deadline fast approaching; Institute for Humane Education Event Spotlight; Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival; 🚨 AND 🚨 a limited-time promo for production company submissions, use code SIMAPROC050 at checkout for 50% off!: simaawards.com/store/p/production-company

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Telephone

+12138076292

Website

http://www.simastudios.org/

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