CALL FOR ENTRIES 🎥 Doc Filmmakers + Impact Media Creatives, submit your work to the 14th Annual Social Impact Media Awards.
SIMA 2026 champions storytelling at the intersection of creative excellence and social resonance. SIMA recognizes original and daring works that confront the urgent realities of our time — from human resilience and the pursuit of rights to the frontiers of environmental and social justice — and honor the visionaries who inspire us to imagine and shape the future.
Entry Categories include: Feature and Short Documentaries, Impact Videos, Extended Reality (XR)/Interactive, Impact Campaigns, and Production Companies.
Learn More + Submit by October 9, 2025 at https://www.simaawards.com/
—DOCUMENTARIES—
DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES
Feature Finalists are eligible for distribution via Cinema Across Borders, SIMA’s global traveling series. Short Finalists are eligible for distribution via Cinema Across Borders and SIMA Academy.
AWARDS
Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Editing
SYSTEMIC CHANGE AWARD < $2500 cash prize (Sponsored by The Foundation for Systemic Change)
JURY PRIZES
< $1000 cash or in-kind prize per category
Transparency, Stylistic Achievement, Ethos, Lens to Action
—XR (EXTENDED REALITY) / INTERACTIVE—
DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITY
Suitable finalists are eligible for distribution via SIMA Academy.
AWARD
Immersive Impact
JURY PRIZE
< $1000 cash or in-kind prize per category
Creative Advocacy
—IMPACT VIDEOS (INNOVATIONS & CREATIVE IMPACT)—
DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITY
Finalists are eligible for distribution via SIMA Academy.
AWARDS
Humanitas, Creative Activism
JURY PRIZES
< $500 cash or in-kind prize per category
Innovation, Impact
—IMPACT CAMPAIGNS—
AWARDS
Legacy Award – Awarded to an impact producer or team whose strategy redefines industry standards, exemplifying outstanding and innovative approaches to campaign design and execution that generate lasting impact.
Catalyst Award – Awarded to an impact producer or team whose campaign has achieved lasting change, particularly benefiting underrepresented and underserved stories and communities.
—PRODUCTION COMPANIES—
AWARDS
Vital Voices Award - Awarded to a company whose productions serve underrepresented and underserved stories that bring vital voices from the margins to the mainstream.
Creative Impact Award - awarded to a company whose productions, approach and dedication to impact storytelling is setting industry standards that raise the bar of quality, innovation, equity and diversity.
