Frequently Asked Questions

Institutional License FAQ

SIMA Academy is a curated educational streaming platform of 300+ award-winning short documentaries from 140+ countries, paired with learning tools for critical thinking, dialogue and engagement.

All films are jury-selected through the SIMA Awards and designed for use in classrooms, programs, and group settings.

What’s included:

  • 300+ short documentaries (3–40 min)
  • New films added annually
  • Lesson plans and facilitation guides
  • The Discernment Protocol, SIMA’s media literacy framework
  • Filmmaker Q&As
  • Film club and discussion resources
  • Ad-free, rights-cleared global access

SIMA Academy is curated, not algorithm-driven.

Every film is selected for:

  • Storytelling integrity
  • Authentic voice
  • Real-world relevance

Unlike traditional streaming platforms, SIMA Academy is designed for:

  • Structured inquiry
  • Discussion and dialogue
  • Application in educational and civic settings

SIMA Academy is designed for institutions and groups, including:

  • Schools and universities
  • Libraries
  • NGOs and nonprofits
  • Youth programs
  • Leadership and professional development networks
  • Corporate and CSR learning programs

Use cases include:

  • Classroom teaching
  • Film Clubs and campus events
  • Leadership forums
  • Leadership and professional development programs

Access is provided through institutional subscriptions.

Once registered, your organization receives:

  • A shared access code or login
  • Unlimited streaming for your group
  • Ability to assign films or host screenings

Access can be used:

  • In-person or remotely
  • Across departments or programs
  • For both structured and informal learning

Yes. SIMA Academy integrates with Google Classroom, Canvas, and most LMS platforms.

Yes. We offer complimentary 14-day demo access for institutions and groups.

The demo gives you full access to the platform, the complete film library, and all learning resources.

Request access or contact us at hello@simaacademy.com

Pricing is based on the size of your organization and number of participants.

Request Access for a custom quote.

Typical tiers include:

  • Small groups
  • Schools and departments
  • Institution-wide access
  • Regional or national networks

Yes. SIMA Academy is designed to integrate easily into existing programs.

Content aligns with:

  • IB (International Baccalaureate)
  • UNESCO Global Citizenship Education (GCED)
  • SDGs
  • Common Core

Films can be used as:

  • Standalone modules
  • Course supplements
  • Discussion starters

The Discernment Protocol gives every film a structured media literacy layer, helping students examine how stories are constructed and how narratives shape perception.

SIMA Academy is available globally.

  • Worldwide access
  • Subtitles in multiple languages for select films
  • Used in 140+ countries

SIMA Academy films can be streamed directly from your web browser on any computer, or through the SIMA Academy mobile app on iOS and Android devices.

For group settings, you can connect your device to a projector or TV for classroom, Film Club, or campus screenings. Films can also be shared in virtual environments via screen sharing on platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or similar tools.

Once the app is activated, selected titles can be downloaded for secure in-app viewing, enabling offline playback in environments with limited or no Wi-Fi. This allows educators and facilitators to prepare screenings in advance and ensure reliable access during lessons, workshops, or events.

All films are rights-cleared for educational and group use.

Your subscription includes:

  • Classroom screenings
  • Campus or organizational screenings
  • Internal virtual screenings

No additional licensing required.

Yes. SIMA Academy is designed for use across secondary, higher education, and adult learning environments.

Many films explore complex global issues. We recommend previewing content to ensure alignment with your audience.

Films are curated with educational use in mind, and are suitable for:

  • Secondary school (ages ~13+)
  • University and adult learners

Films include:

  • A clear description and context
  • A “Viewer Discretion Advised” label for potentially sensitive material

Your subscription provides comprehensive access to SIMA Academy’s curated film library, learning tools, and global engagement resources.

  • Institution-wide access for members, participants, faculty, and students, based on your selected license tier
  • Unlimited screenings for classrooms, Film Clubs, and group use. No per-title or per-screening fees
  • 300+ award-winning short documentaries, curated globally through the annual SIMA Awards
  • Ongoing content updates, with approximately 30 new films added each year to keep collections current and relevant
  • Curated collections organized by theme, region, subject, SDGs, and film length for easy discovery
  • Flexible curriculum resources, including lesson modules, Filmmaker Q&As, the Discernment Protocol, and inquiry-based learning tools
  • Film Club facilitation guide to support student- or facilitator-led clubs and dialogue
  • Onboarding and implementation support, including a welcome kit, knowledge base, and step-by-step tools
  • Student leadership opportunities, including participation in SIMA Film Clubs and eligibility for the SIMA Changemaker Award
  • Global learning community, with curated World Day screening recommendations shared through regular updates
  • Recognition for educators and institutions through the annual SIMA Changemaker Award, celebrating excellence in impact-driven learning

 Getting started is simple:

  1. Request Access
  2. Receive a recommendation based on your needs.
  3. Get access and onboarding support

SIMA Academy is designed for educational use and aligns with industry best practices regarding student privacy, including COPPA and FERPA considerations. We collect limited personal data, do not sell user information, and provide captioned content where available to support accessibility. Institutional partners may request Data Privacy Agreements as needed.

Support and Assistance

To Request Access → Click Here

For Technical Support → Click Here 

For Partnership Inquiries → Click Here 

For Sponsorship Opportunities → deb@simastudios.org

For Financial + Billing Inquiries → accounting@simastudios.org