Empowering Educators, Inspiring Changemakers: Harness the Power of Award-Winning Global Short-Documentaries
Curated by the international Social Impact Media Awards
About
SIMA Academy is an award-winning digital learning platform that harnesses documentary film to advance global education, media literacy, and civic engagement. Designed for schools, universities, and leadership programs, it offers ready-to-use films and classroom resources that spark critical thinking, connect learning to real-world issues, and empower students to act with purpose in an interconnected world.
“SIMA Academy is the Netflix for changemakers and anyone interested in global stories told through local eyes.”
– Daniela Papi Thornton, Director, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Oxford University
“I’ve never seen a class so motivated and inspired.”
– Michelle Bernstein, Faculty Chair, New Roads School
Elevate Global Learning
- Strengthen critical thinking, media and information literacy
- Cultivate inquiry-based learning and student-led leadership development
- Advance education for global awareness and sustainability
- Encourage collaboration, civic imagination, and purpose-driven action
- Foster Intercultural understanding and 21st-century competencies
- Empower learners with freedom of choice, perspective-building, and personal agency
Get SIMA Academy
Empower the next generation of informed, curious, and connected learners.
Institution License
For schools, colleges, museums and libraries.
Partner License
For training programs, networks, and conferences.
Individual Access
For educators, learners, parents or guardians.
Institution License
For schools, colleges, museums and libraries.
Partner License
For training programs, networks, and conferences.
Individual Access
For educators, learners, parents or guardians.
What Sets SIMA Academy Apart
Curated Global Content
Award-winning short documentaries from 140+ countries
Curriculum Alignment
Pedagogically adaptive to seamlessly integrate and enhance diverse education standards and subjects.
Enhanced Student Engagement
Captivating narratives that spark critical thinking and discussion
SDG Focused Content
Films curated by each of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals
Professional Development
Resources and training to maximize educational impact
Join Our Network
Join educators and institutions shaping the future of global learning with SIMA Academy
Our Story
SIMA launched in 2012 as a first-of-its-kind platform celebrating excellence in creative, socially resonant documentary storytelling. What began as an awards initiative has grown into a global curator working across 100+ countries, connecting independent filmmakers with classrooms, campuses, and communities. Powered by our annual awards and a network of 4,800+ filmmakers from 140 countries, SIMA Academy brings authentic, classroom-ready media to educators – supporting critical inquiry, media literacy, and learner agency through choice-driven, inquiry-based learning.
