SIMA is a Global
Impact Media Institute
EST. 2012
PROGRAMS
We recognize, support, and connect the most consequential documentary storytelling of our time to the people and institutions that carry it forward.
GLOBAL AWARDS
SIMA AWARDS
OPEN CALL: The annual SIMA Awards define a global curatorial standard for high-integrity documentary storytelling and impact media, recognizing work that stands apart in its artistry, depth, and consequence.
COMMUNITY CINEMA
CINEMA ACROSS BORDERS
A fellowship and screening program connecting curated films to grassroots leaders and communities across the Global South, turning screenings into lasting civic networks.
GLOBAL LEARNING
SIMA ACADEMY
A learning platform integrating documentary film into schools, universities, and leadership programs, equipping 160,000+ students with the context to engage with global realities.
CREATOR SUPPORT
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
Nonprofit infrastructure enabling filmmakers and cultural producers to finance, produce, and launch purpose-driven work across media formats, while retaining full creative control.
SIMA 2027
GLOBAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
Celebrating 15 years of documentary storytelling that moves the world. The annual SIMA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in high-integrity documentary storytelling, honoring bold, cinematic work from around the world that defines the field, expands perspective, and resonates far beyond the screen. Each year, projects from over 140 countries compete for awards, cash prizes, global recognition, and entry into SIMA’s distribution ecosystem — extending their reach into classrooms, communities, and cultural spaces worldwide.
IN OTHER NEWS
What STUDENTS DO AFTER THE CREDITS ROLL
A FIELD REPORT:
How SIMA Academy is turning documentary film into a global engine for youth civic action.
FILMS IN COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE
The latest edition of CINEMA ACROSS BORDERS is screening in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, Honduras, Guatemala, and Serbia.
The Discernment Protocol
In a media landscape shaped by algorithms, the most important skill is no longer access to information — it is the ability to interpret it well.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
MAKE WORK THAT MATTERS
Join a global network of filmmakers, artists, and creative producers raising funds across documentary, narrative, arts, and emerging media. We currently support projects in 50+ countries, enabling over 100 creators to bring their work to life.
IMPACT
Each year, our programs engage filmmakers, educators, students, and civic leaders across 140+ countries, reaching over 5 million viewers worldwide.
