MISSION
To advance global awareness, social justice, human rights and humanitarian development by championing creative works of visual storytelling that inspire activism, compassion and social transformation.
ABOUT SIMA
SIMA 2013 is an international documentary and educational impact media competition honoring members in the independent film and global humanitarian industry. Our objective is to champion and promote the stories of independent filmmakers, journalists, aid organizations and grassroots change-makers that too often remain overlooked, and to provide a springboard for creative media that exemplifies excellence in its potential to inspire change. We are pleased to invite all filmmakers, journalists, TV producers, activists and non-profit organizations who would like to take part in the SOCIAL IMPACT MEDIA AWARDS competition. SIMA 2013 will be open for submission in December 2012.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Through the championing of selected productions we would like to assist filmmakers and activists in bringing international audiences closer to current realities of people living in developing nations and providing deeper insights into the politics of global development, international aid, global activism, and the human condition.
The SIM Awards honor accomplishments in the following categories: Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Sound Editing
**Winners of Special Jury Awards receive prizes worth $TBA per category. Winners and Nominees receive optional entry in our educational and humanitarian distribution network, which maximizes the impact of documentary films by facilitating worldwide screenings for community groups and aid organizations to encourage local community activism.
EDUCATIONAL IMPACT VIDEOS
Selected productions will be curated on our YouTube Channel and Online Video Network to encourage skill sharing of best practices in human rights and humanitarian development.
**Winners of Special Jury Awards receive prizes worth $TBA per category and priority placement on our homepage and affiliated media outlets.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
DOCUMENTARY FILMS (FEATURES & SHORTS)
We are looking for original, wise, brave and creative productions that will increase the awareness of viewers to global injustices, to the resilience of humans facing depravation, to the politics of international aid, and to efforts and agents of change in developing nations. We seek productions that raise important questions about the state of our contemporary world, and urge people to reflect on the meaning and potential of help for those in need.
We are especially interested in:
1. Everyday stories of individuals or groups living in developing countries
2. Campaigning films geared to raising awareness and calls to action
3. Issues relating to UN Millennium Development Goals
4. Transparency and Sustainability in the humanitarian/ human rights/ global development sector
5. Examples of help brought by individuals, local heroes, donors, international organizations, governmental agencies and NGOs – both positive and those who have not been successful
EDUCATIONAL IMPACT VIDEOS
We are looking for videos that share unique insight into “HOW AID WORKS”, that highlight distinctive approaches, creative models, successful tactics and innovations, emphasizing processes used, failures along the way and impact measurements. NGOs, foundations, local grassroots organizations, and community activists from all over the world are invited to submit their videos and compete for recognition of the process behind their development work. Videos capturing effective development approaches and how-to stories can be between 3 – 15 min long.
We are especially interested in the following themes:
EDUCATION MODELS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES FOOD SECURITY HEALTH & HYGIENE WATER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ENERGY/TECHNOLOGY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM NURSING ACTIVITIES CHILDREN’S RIGHTS INFECTIOUS DISEASES SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES DISASTER RESPONSE TRAUMA RECOVERY AID TO REFUGEES DISCRIMINATION STIGMA INDIGENOUS RIGHTS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE GIRLS AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT YOUTH LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ MOBILIZATION SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MICRO FINANCE FAIR TRADE ART AS ADVOCACY
