SIMA Academy exists to empower the next generation of changemakers by harnessing the power of film to foster leadership, critical thinking, global citizenship, and civic engagement. One standout example is Emilio, who took the initiative to create a SIMA Impact Film Screening Club at his school in Aiglon College in Switzerland. Through his leadership, Emi has brought peers together to explore global issues, engage in meaningful dialogue, and experience the transformative power of documentary storytelling.

Rajvi Trivedi, an educator in Bangalore, used SIMA documentaries to spark student-led projects on sustainable consumption, gender equality, and quality education. Through film, art, dance, and literature, students connected learning with real-world impact.

Akriti Srivastava, a student at Lancers International School, India, screened From Gangs to Gardens and created a podcast on food adulteration for the SIMA Student Changemaker Award, promoting SDG 3, healthy eating habits, and label literacy among peers.

Antonella Regueiro’s Impact Series at Lynn University engaged students with global issues like poverty and sustainability, inspiring social impact, responsible fashion choices, and dialogue through SIMA films.

Student, Saeed Muhammad Lawan inspired climate action in Nigeria with his project “Growing Together: Trees and Dreams.” Through poetry, education, and community engagement, he empowered youth and led the planting of over 200 trees.

Educator Jingyuan Fu inspired students at the University of Hong Kong to take action on gender equality and domestic violence through the film Don’t Cover It Up, Step Up. Their campaign, “Girls Re:generate,” sparked dialogue and civic engagement on and off campus.

Inspired by the film Farmers Footprint, a team of educators at Radically Rural created a music video, celebrating rural innovation, sustainability, and diversity while also showcasing different cultures, industries, and the lived realities of rural communities.

Educator Udeshika Kudachchi used SIMA films to teach the SDGs, inspiring students in Sri Lanka to launch “Pens for a Greener Future,” recycling 10,000 pens, staging eco-dramas, planting trees, and supporting women’s entrepreneurship in their community.

Educator Pratibha Dhal inspired her 11th graders through SIMA films to organize a sustainable fashion show and to create audiobooks for blind aspiring teachers. These projects combined creativity and empathy to create real-world impact.

Nantume Masturah, a SIMA inspired high school student in Kampala, launched a fundraiser and petition to fight period poverty, raise awareness, and empower girls through education, skills, and support.

Inspired by the SIMA film Water Is Life, Finley Johnston, a middle schooler in Germany, launched “The FN&N Project” to help bring clean water to Kiswa Village, Uganda by raising funds, uniting youth leaders, and helping build a well for 800+ households.

Twamsen Danaan, a filmmaker and educator in Nigeria, used SIMA Academy films to teach SDGs. Films like Kayayo sparked empathy, inspired action, and helped students connect global issues to their own local experiences.

Tiffany Key, an educator in Hiroshima, Japan, used the film Fledgling to teach SDG 16: Peace and Justice. The story inspired her young students to keep learning English and to start a letter writing campaign to support refugees.

Ranielle Navarro, an educator in the Philippines, used SIMA films to teach SDGs on climate, consumption, and conservation. She inspired her students to become environmental stewards through the use of vlogs, posters, and photo essays - resulting in the planning of beach cleanups and coral planting efforts.

Rajvi Trivedi, an educator in Bengaluru, India, used SIMA films to explore SDGs related to education, gender, climate, and consumption, provoking critical thinking and emotional reflection on real-world issues, media consumption, and representation.

Oshan Gunathilake, a youth educator in Sri Lanka, used SIMA films to engage students with SDG 4 and 13. The screenings sparked emotional, critical discussions on climate and education, leading to youth-led dialogues, advocacy, and strengthened civic awareness.

Novaira Khan, a student in Karachi, Pakistan, screened What Would It Look Like? to raise awareness about Climate Action. The event sparked discussions related to sustainability, energy, and diversity, increasing the audience’s understanding and knowledge of climate issues.

Kashf Shah, a local community leader, screened What Would It Look Like? To promote climate action and sustainable development in Pakistan.

Canadian Janice Sestan and Japanese Rachelle Meilleur, both educators, collaborated to virtually connect their students through film- encouraging them to exchange their perspectives and share cultural insights.

Inspired by A Thousand Suns, Chinese student Iffany Zou launched a podcast to raise awareness about food sustainability and food waste within her school community.

Ukrainian educator Hanna Dudich used SIMA films and lesson plans to inspire her students to tell stories in new ways—creating an immersive video from a dog’s perspective to advocate for local animal shelters.

Pakistani student Novaira Khan organized a local screening to show What Would It Look Like? and to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable development within her community.

Ugandan student, Isaac Sserwanga encouraged dialogue within his community to promote clean and renewable energy relating the content of the film Women of Fukushima to their political context.

Maroua Ameziane, a Moroccan changemaker, screened the film 16/6 to promote global partnerships. She looked to foster solidarity and encourage her community to embrace teamwork and collaboration for a stronger collective impact.

Bukola Olalere, Nigerian Ambassador for World Merit, screened Juanita to an audience living with leprosy to inspire hope, courage, and promote the fight against stigma and discrimination surrounding their condition.

Ayokunmi Ogunnaiya, an educator in Nigeria, screened Kayayo: The Living Shopping Baskets to raise awareness about poverty and promote critical thinking and a solutions-based approach among her audience.

Léonidas Nzigamasabo, a student from Burundi, screened Kayayo to spark dialogue on poverty eradication, leading to the creation of the Entrepreneurial Club at the university to support young students and help prevent school attrition.

Brena Lacerda, a changemaker from Brazil, screened At Home, In Bed, and in the Streets to raise awareness on sexual abuse and exploitation, helping contextualize and prevent violence against women.

Chaste Inegbedion screened Kayayo, The Living Shopping Baskets at the Kirikiri Female Prison to raise awareness about poverty and gender violence, helping the audience connect the film’s message with real-life challenges and the need for change.

Odwa Ntsika Mtembu, founder of World Merit South Africa, screened Mother of All Rivers during a national drought to raise awareness on water and sanitation. The impactful screening led professionals to turn the discussion into actionable policy.

Carlo Steensma screened Voices from the Sea to highlight the impact of overfishing and plastic pollution. The Liverpool event inspired new partnerships between the City Centre and sustainable local venues to host future eco-focused screenings.

World Merit’s Global Ambassador, Ms. Shaan, screened Big Damage to spark solution-oriented discussions at UNDP related to different SDGs and to gender roles in leadership. Conversation fostered inter-institutional partnerships and collaboration between the World Merit and Youth Co:Lab members.

McCarthy Samalani, educator and President of World Merit Malawi, screened What Would It Look Like? to raise awareness on climate change and inspire youth to take action as environmental leaders, especially in the face of Malawi’s climate crisis.

Bangladeshi student Maruf Hossain screened Nobody Dies Here to raise awareness among peers about modern slavery, child labour, and human trafficking, encouraging them to value decent work and recognize when they or others may be at risk.

Joseph Whadji, educator in Ghana, screened Kayayo to help elementary students understand the harsh realities of child labor in their own country, and reflect on the risks girls face and the value of education and family support.