WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

DOCUMENTARY FILMS (FEATURES AND SHORTS)

We are looking for original, wise, brave, eye-opening and creative productions that increase the awareness of viewers to global injustices, to the resilience of humans facing deprivation, to the politics of international development, and to efforts and agents of change worldwide. We seek productions that raise important questions about the state of our contemporary world, and inspire people to reflect on the meaning and potential of social activism, social justice and social transformation.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

Social impact virtual reality films are said to be the future of empathy-building impact storytelling. We are looking for the trailblazers in this emerging field.

1. Documentaries
2. Reporting / Citizens Journalism
3. Experimental / Creative Advocacy and Campaigns

IMPACT VIDEOS (INNOVATIONS + CREATIVE IMPACT)

Organizations, foundations, creative agencies and content creators are invited to submit their work. We are looking for:

1. Innovation videos that share unique insight into “how impact works”, capturing distinctive approaches, creative models, successful tactics and innovative projects in global development, education and social justice initiatives.
2. Creative impact and awareness videos that inspire critical consciousness of current social issues, for example: social-advertising, cause marketing, changemaker features, impact poetry films, or artistic takes on social advocacy.

WE ARE ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN:

• Issues relating to UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Transparency and Sustainability in the humanitarian/ human rights/ global development sector
• Everyday stories of individuals, groups and cultures
• Campaigning films geared to raising awareness and calls to action
• Examples of social engagement and activism – both positive and those that have not been successful

Example themes:

EDUCATION MODELS	INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
FOOD SECURITY	LGBTQ RIGHTS
WATER	ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION/ JUSTICE
ENERGY / TECHNOLOGY	RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
CONFLICT RESOLUTION / DIPLOMACY	CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
LOCAL & GLOBAL ECONOMY	DISEASE CONTROL / PREVENTION
TRAUMA RECOVERY / REHABILITATION	REFUGEES
HEALTH	DISCRIMINATION
STIGMA	AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE / EQUALITY	GIRLS & WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
YOUTH PROGRAMS	COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ MOBILIZATION
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP	MICROFINANCE
MEDIA / CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATIONS	ARTISTIC ADVOCACY
RACIAL JUSTICE	DISASTER RESPONSE
DISABILITY JUSTICE	LABOR RIGHTS

RULES & REGULATIONS

ELIGIBILITY

Films must be completed between October 2015 and September 2016 to be eligible for entry. Each title is permitted to enter once to SIMA. Titles that have entered in the past are not permitted to enter into the competition in subsequent years. Each entry may be submitted by only one individual or organization. If the film is a co-production, the entrant assumes full responsibility for notifying the other co-production partners of the entry. In the event of multiple entries for the same film, copyright ownership will determine which entry is accepted. The entrant is responsible for securing and clearing all rights.

CATEGORY RULES

FEATURE – Individual, stand-alone documentary, 40 or more minutes in length.

SHORT – Individual, stand-alone documentary, less than 40 minutes in length.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) – Individual, stand-alone VR films, less than 20 minutes in length.

IMPACT VIDEO – Individual, stand-alone video, between 2 and 20 minutes in length.

(NOTE: Videos merely geared towards fundraising or brand advertising are NOT ACCEPTED)

AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Limited to two persons, one of whom must be the credited Director who exercised directorial control, and the other of whom must have a Producer/Director credit.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARDS

Best Feature Documentary | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Editing

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AWARDS

Best VR Experience | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Experience

DOCUMENTARY SHORT AWARDS

Best Short Documentary | Best Director | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | Best Sound Editing

IMPACT VIDEO AWARDS

Humanitas | Creative Activism

DOCUMENTARY JURY PRIZES

Transparency | Stylistic Achievement | Ethos | Lens to Action

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) JURY PRIZES

Immersive Impact | Experimental Advocacy | Journalistic Achievement

IMPACT VIDEO JURY PRIZES

Innovation |  Impact

JUDGING

Judging of the SIMA Awards is based on overall creative excellence and educational excellence. Committees of filmmaking and global development professionals screen all entries and select all finalists. Award winners in the Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, VR, and Impact Video category are selected by a group of SIMA Judges from the finalists.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All (non-English language) entries must be sub-titled in English. Multiple projects may be submitted, however each film must have a separate completed submission form.

If your submission is short-listed as a FINALIST, we will require an electronic press kit (EPK) to be sent via email to [email protected], and a high-res digital download of your film (MPEG4/ h264 @1080p / 10—25mbps) H264/MPEG. For documentary entries only, we will also require 2 DVDs and Blu-ray (if available) to be sent to: SIMA AWARDS – 632 Westbourne Drive, West Hollywood CA 90069.

ENTRY FEES

Entries must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received, notification of results, media management and storage. These fees may be paid via Paypal and credit card. You will find links for payment on your respective Submission Form page.

Early Bird Deadline (September 8th – September 29th)

Documentary Features: $ 35 | VR: $ 35 | Documentary Shorts: $25 | Impact Videos: $15

Regular Deadline (September 30th – October 13th)

Documentary Features: $ 40 | VR: $ 40 | Documentary Shorts: $30 | Impact Videos: $20

Late Deadline (October 14th – October 27th)

Documentary Features: $50 | VR: $ 50 | Documentary Shorts: $40 | Impact Videos: $30

PRE-PRESS, PUBLICITY, MEDIA

Entry in this competition grants SIMA the right to use clips (2 minutes maximum), photographs, and biographical data for publicity and promotional purposes for the SIMA website, as well as websites of SIMA’s promotional partners, media sponsors, and web aggregators.  All entrants in the Virtual Reality and Impact Video Category agree to release the digital video file of their production for online circulation (if short-listed) to be curated on SIMA websites. SIMA reserves the right to use any submitted materials for all promotional purposes, including all existing and future media platforms in perpetuity.

ARCHIVE

All entrants agree to release DVDs, Blu-Ray copies and/or digital files of their production for non-circulation reference at the SIMA organizers archive. DVDs and publicity materials submitted to SIMA will not be returned.

Post: http://simaawards.org/submit