OVERVIEW
CINEMA ACROSS BORDERS 2025/26
We are pleased to announce the most recent edition of Cinema Across Borders, SIMA’s annual traveling series where we collaborate with local leaders, community groups, film festivals and human rights forums around the global to facilitate screenings about the issues that matter and ignite local dialogues, coalition building and community actions.
STATS 2024/25
Since 2013 we have partnered with over 100 organizations and ambassadors in bringing SIMA awarded films to over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
2025/26 screenings are ongoing, spanning Argentina, Colombia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Liberia, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Eswatini.
CINEMA ACROSS BORDERS
2025/26 FELLOWS
Film Festival Director, Green Manager
Instituto Multimedia de Derechos Humanos (IMD)
Florencia Santucho was born in Torino (Italy) and after working for television in Rome, she moved to Argentina, her family’s country of origin, exiled from the civil-military dictatorship, where she studied film at the IDAC in Avellaneda, province of Buenos Aires. Filmmaker, cultural manager, producer, programmer, she is currently director of the film festivals FICDH (20 editions) and FINCA (7 editions) in Argentina and FINCADH in Paraguay on behalf of the Multimedia Institute DerHumALC, a non-profit civil association with more than 25 years of experience, of which she is Vice President. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Film Network. Specialised in reducing the environmental impact of film productions and cultural events, she has been working and giving workshops as Green Manager since 2021 at European and Latin American level using the main protocols and footprint calculators in use within the cultural industry. Among the companies she has worked with are Fremantle Italia, Amazon and Sky.
Policy Researcher
Yobe State University, Common Futures Conversations
Saeed Muhammad Lawan is the 2024 winner of the SIMA Student Changemaker Award, a policy researcher and community organizer. His works at the Common Futures Conversations – Chatham House centered around gender-based violence, climate change, and civic engagement. Currently, he’s leading a project to help high school students in Africa start climate action clubs and is researching the intersection of gender and climate change.
Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies
University for Peace
Stephanie Knox Steiner, PhD is Assistant Professor and Peace Education Program Coordinator in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University for Peace. She is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, a member of the Ecoversities Alliance, and a co-founder of the Jill Knox Peace Through Humor fellowship program through the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. Her current teaching and writing interests weave together entangled themes of peace education, mindfulness, interbeing, community dreamwork, and re-imagining and re-enchanting education.
Co-Director
HISTORIAS EN KILÓMETROS
Nicolás Cuéllar Gempeler is the co-director of HISTORIAS EN KILÓMETROS, a laboratory dedicated to training, producing, and disseminating community cinema through work with diverse communities worldwide. HEK works with local teams in communities without access to traditional audiovisual training in historically invisible places and is dedicated to articulating cinema with the life and context of each local team to generate original audiovisual content and sustainable community film production companies.
Director and Founder
StoryMi Academy Nigeria
Sophie Bouillon spent most of her career in Africa, first as a freelance journalist for several international media. She relocated on a permanent basis to Nigeria in 2016, where she worked with Agence France-Presse (AFP) as a deputy director in the Lagos bureau for 5 years. In 2021 she was appointed director and coordinator of the Hausa Service for Radio France Internationale (RFI). That same year, she founded StoryMi academy with the goal of upscaling media and journalism and giving opportunities to the new generation of Nigerian reporters. She is the recipient of the highest award in French Press, the Albert Londres Prize and an accomplished author with 3 books to her name.
Paralegal and Partnerships
Single Mothers Association of Kenya (SMAK)
Manyasi is a skilled photographer and videographer. He uses these tools to document human rights violations and raise awareness on socio-cultural and environmental issues, with a focus on participatory video (PV) that empowers communities to create films for social change. His work particularly benefits marginalized communities, helping them communicate their needs to decision-makers through photo and film evidence, addressing issues like public land-grabbing and urban challenges. Additionally, he is active in theater, advocating for gender parity and against sexual violence. Currently, he is documenting state-led displacement in Nairobi’s Eastlands, researching development-induced displacement and illicit financial flows. Beyond his professional work, Manyasi is passionate about preserving heritage, storytelling, and promoting wildlife clubs, and he aspires to become a mushroom and butterfly farmer.
Independent Consultant in Peace Education
GCED Syndicate
Oshan is a Peace Education and Transdisciplinary Social Development practitioner from Sri Lanka who works in the intersections of peacebuilding, conflict transformation, nonviolence, ethical leadership, and social empowerment. He has years of experience working with diverse communities across the Asia-Pacific with a special focus on education for sustainability, youth advocacy, and values-based community-building. His current engagements heavily focus on the approaches for Alternative Learning such as gamification, play-based learning, storytelling, and story building for cultural reimagination. He is a firm believer in exploring alternatives to redefine our worldviews, abolishing harmful structures, and strengthening Global Citizenship.
Co-founder and Executive Director
Sunshine Cinema
Sydelle Willow Smith is a storyteller and co-founder of Sunshine Cinema. She holds a Masters of social science in African studies from the University of Oxford. She is passionate about audience engagement and experimenting with modes of public participation as an artist, researcher and leader. It is within the context of public participation that she has drawn together her interests in media, anthropology and socio-political interventions. Smith is a 2020 Senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Columbia University.
Executive Director
LEAP Africa
Kehinde Ayeni is the Executive director at LEAP Africa, a catalyst organization for youth leadership development in Africa—her work centers on leadership, youth empowerment, social development, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices. She is an influential leader overseeing and implementing programs, research, learning and strategies to advance these goals, foster positive change, and empower young African leaders. Her core experience in the past 15 years spans organizational leadership, operations and communications. She has a personal and professional goal to continue creating an agile environment, opportunities and solutions to profit, empower, and enable socio-economic transformation. Her exceptional contributions earned her recognition as one of the “50 African Women Making a Difference in Development” by Donors for Africa in 2020 and is a 2021 Praxis Nonprofit Accelerator Program Fellow.
General Director
Fundación Ixcanul
Alba Carrasco is a cultural manager with over 15 years of experience in the sector, specializing in human rights, social justice, and sustainability. As the Executive Director of Fundación Ixcanul, she leads initiatives that promote the defense of human rights, social and environmental justice, particularly through cinema in Central America. With a human rights focus, a participatory approach, and in collaboration with grassroots organizations, Fundación Ixcanul works to strengthen the civic space in the most vulnerable communities in Guatemala and Central America.
Documentary Filmmaker, Impact Practitioner, DFA docLOVE Program Lead
DFA docLOVE
Miki is a documentary filmmaker who believes story has the power to bring positive change. She is a co-founder of Plexus Films, consults as impact producer, serves as programme director for the UCT Sunshine Cinema Impact course and is co-director of the Climate Story Lab SA. In 2018 she initiated the DFA docLOVE screenings in Cape Town, which has grown into a countrywide program aimed at building documentary audiences and social engagement through film. Mostly, she loves being in the world with a camera which is why she spent 6 years filming Mother City which premiered in June 2024.
Founder
KEMOK
Angela, a Guatemalan engineering student at San Carlos University, is the founder of Kemok, a project that empowers indigenous women through traditional weaving. By teaching weaving techniques and business skills, she helps them achieve financial independence while preserving their cultural heritage. Her work has earned recognition from the World Health Awards, UNAOC, and various film festivals. Beyond Kemok, Angela advocates for gender equality in STEM, encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and technology. Through mentorship, advocacy, and innovation, she bridges the gap between tradition and modern opportunities. Her vision is a future where indigenous women thrive economically while celebrating their rich cultural identity.
Founder and Project Coordinator
Kriterion Monrovia
Pandora Hodge is a Liberian entrepreneur and the founder of Kriterion Monrovia, a nonprofit promoting cultural activities, film, arts, and student entrepreneurship in Liberia. In 2014, with support from the Prince Claus Fund, she organized Image of Liberia, Monrovia’s first film festival. Holding a BA in Sociology and Public Administration, she is passionate about creating opportunities for youth. In 2011, she opened Pandora’s Basket, a restaurant that provided jobs for over 20 students, though it later closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also promoted Liberian cuisine through cooking lessons, sharing local flavors with those eager to explore. Pandora remains dedicated to empowering young Liberians through culture, art, and entrepreneurship, helping them build a brighter future.
Master in cultural and audiovisual management and production
MAREA Producciones
Conceived, born, raised and nursed by the wisdom of the South Pacific from Colombia. Artist since childhood, theater, stilt walker, director theater and cinema community. Master in Management and Cultural and Audiovisual Production. Social Communicator, Cultural Manager. Legal representative of the Marea Producciones association from Tumaco – The first community film production company in the South Pacific of Colombia
Lead Educator
Change A Child Community Initiative
Blessing Oluchukwu Awamba grew up in Ajegunle, Nigeria, where she witnessed how poverty and violence were used to manipulate young people in her community. Motivated by these experiences, she began volunteering with youth-focused organizations promoting education and poverty alleviation. She later founded the Change A Child Community initiative to advance SDGs 4, 6, 10, and 16, focusing on global citizenship education for children in marginalized areas. Today, she leads a team of Gen Z volunteers running school clubs, outreaches, and workshops to foster peacebuilding and community development through education.
President
Lions Club Surabaya Wijaya
Mansi is a young changemaker and cultural advocate, currently serving as President of Lions Club Surabaya Wijaya. Passionate about education, inclusivity, and youth empowerment, she leads initiatives that promote social impact and cross-cultural understanding. Her work includes international programs and cultural festivals across Indonesia. She has received a fully funded scholarship from the Indonesian government and a grant with mentorship from UNESCO-APCEIU for advancing intercultural education for children.
Filmmaker/ Team Lead
Mental Voices Africa
Mental Voices Africa was founded by filmmaker Noella Luka after navigating her own diagnosis as a film student in the U.S. and confronting the deep stigma surrounding mental health when she came back home to Kenya. What began as a personal journey turned into a movement — using storytelling to break the silence, spark dialogue, and create spaces where people feel seen and heard. Through community-led film projects and strategic partnerships across continents, Mental Voices Africa reaches those often left out of mental health conversations — from rural youth to caregivers and communities. We don’t just raise awareness; we shift culture. With your support, we can amplify these voices, build empathy, and bring lasting change to how mental health is understood and supported across Africa.
Programs Manager
Blue Chair
A native of Luang Prabang, Laos, Manivone “Vone” Liosakoun has since 2020 served as the Programs Manager for Blue Chair, which presents a biannual festival celebrating Southeast Asian cinema. For the festival, she works as a producer, venue manager, and programmer, dealing directly with Lao and Thai filmmakers, technical crews, and audiences. Vone is also the main point of contact for Blue Chair’s Lao Filmmakers Fund, which supports domestic production. An accomplished baker, she has also worked in real estate management and retail, often with international clients.
Culture Editor
Park Radio
Fawziyya Zakariyya is a digital storyteller and community builder whose work sits at the intersection of media, mental health, and civic advocacy. She has developed strategies to expand access to mental healthcare, contributed to the launch of Nigeria’s first 24/7 mental health toll-free line, and used social media storytelling to engage young Nigerians on urgent socio-political issues. Her experience spans the nonprofit, tech, and culture sectors.
President/Chairman | Producer
Sierra Leone Film Guild
Daramy Kabba is a dynamic and socially engaged professional with a growing footprint in leadership, international affairs, and creative industries. With experience spanning nonprofit advocacy, film producer, event coordination, and public communication, Daramy is passionate about youth empowerment, policy engagement, and using media as a tool for social change. He has actively participated in global development dialogues and advocates for African cultural industries as a means of sustainable growth. Known for his integrity, emotional intelligence, and collaborative spirit, Daramy strives to build bridges between communities, elevate underrepresented voices, and leave a meaningful impact through service and storytelling.
Festival Director/Founder
Africa’s Voices of Change Film Festival
Timothy Olawoye is a visionary filmmaker and Creative Director of Tropism Ideas Ltd., committed to driving social change through impactful storytelling. With a focus on children’s rights, disability advocacy, and public health, he uses media as a tool to challenge societal misconceptions and promote inclusivity. Timothy is the founder of Africa’s Voices of Change Film Festival (AVOCFF), which showcases powerful narratives addressing social and behavioural change. A recipient of several accolades, including the Film for Impact Fellowship, Timothy blends creativity and purpose, inspiring the next generation of leaders while championing authentic African stories that ignite meaningful dialogue and action.
Director/Founder
LEEMAH INC
Miatta Bofa Mulbah Tarpeh is a passionate educator, advocate, and community leader committed to uplifting women and girls in Liberia. She founded LEEMAH INC (Precious Jewels) in 2016 to confront the harsh realities faced by women and girls, including gender-based violence, limited access to education, and lack of representation in leadership. Under her direction, LEEMAH implements programs that promote girls’ retention in school, civic and human rights education, life skills development, and women’s political participation. Miatta’s work is driven by a mission to restore values, amplify voices, and create safe, empowering spaces where women and girls can lead, learn, and thrive.
Artistic Director
Live Room
Omar Mok is a Tangerine performing artist, director, and cultural strategist based in Tangier, Morocco. With a background in engineering and over a decade of experience in project management, he has carved a unique path blending artistic creation with social impact. As the co-founder of the Live Room Project and the visionary behind LABO, Omar has developed platforms that support emerging talent in the performing arts and cinema across Northern Morocco. His artistic work explores identity, memory, and urban life, and he is known for creating immersive performances and short films that merge storytelling with social commentary.
Professor and Founder
Media for Change
Communications Officer
Sierra Leone Adult Education Association
Student of International Relations at UNITEC Honduras | Advocate for Youth Empowerment
Program Officer
Voices of Women Media
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Africa Voices Dialogue
Founder
GCED Peruvian Lab
Founder & Social Change Catalyst
Spice Without Borders
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
The traveling series is a year-round initiative that brings impactful films and discussions to diverse communities across 30+ countries. By partnering with local leaders, human rights forums, and film festivals, the series creates spaces for audiences to engage with pressing social issues through film. Each stop in the series is tailored to spark meaningful dialogues, build coalitions, and inspire action on both local and global levels, empowering communities to address challenges from the grassroots up. Through this ongoing journey, the traveling series serves as a catalyst for change, uniting people around shared stories and common goals.SIMA's annual participant cohort receives access to films, screening guidance, ideas and possibilities to strengthen their networks and community impact.