Celebrating Storytellers on the Front Lines of Today's Global Issues: 4th Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) Finalists Announced

Los Angeles, CA, January 13, 2016 (Newswire.com) - The Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA), an annual international documentary awards and traveling series known for curating the best global impact cinema, announced finalists for the 2016 SIMA Awards this morning.

“Watching SIMA entries is like having x-ray vision into the state of the contemporary world,” said SIMA Executive Director Daniela Kon. “In contrast to the negativity and fear that saturates so much of mainstream media’s coverage of social issues, our finalists capture humanity’s resilience and creativity. I’m in awe of the inspiring work we get to champion in 2016.”

"Watching SIMA entries is like having x-ray vision into the state of the contemporary world," said SIMA Executive Director Daniela Kon. "In contrast to the negativity and fear that saturates so much of mainstream media's coverage of social issues, our finalists capture humanity's resilience and creativity. I'm in awe of the inspiring work we get to champion in 2016."

Daniela Kon, Executive Director, Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA)

This year’s films explore the role of women and artists in the Arab Spring (The Trials of Spring; Nefertiti’s Daughters), the rule of law in Guatemala (Burden of Peace), the refugee crisis in Jordan and France (Salam Neighbor, Transit Zone), creative activism in South Africa and Sweden (The Mahoyo Project), racial injustice in the United States (Southern Rites), the reality of the global fashion industry (The True Cost), and a Ukrainian pastor rehabilitating drug-addicted street kids in the Terrence Malick-produced feature documentary Crocodile Gennadiy, among others.  

Finalists were selected from 255 entries, submitted from 96 countries around the world. The 35 films are now eligible for entry into SIMA’s Traveling Series, and move on to the final judging round, where they will compete for awards and cash prizes of $500 - $1000 per category. Winners will be announced on February 9, 2016 and showcased in Los Angeles at Skirball Cultural Center from April through August 2016.

List of SIMA 2016 finalists: http://simaawards.org/2016-finalists/

More information: www.simaawards.org

Press Contact: [email protected]

ABOUT SIMA

SIMA is a nonprofit Impact Media Agency supporting and exhibiting creative works of visual storytelling that inspire activism, compassion and social transformation. Through the annual SIMA AWARDS and year-round FILM PROGRAMS, SIMA provides a catalyst for these important works, and serves as a film reserve for educators, journalists and screening partners worldwide.                                             

The SIMA Awards are sponsored by DEEDA Productions, The Angel Station, G-Technology, and VENA CAVA.