SIMA Academy is an award-winning digital learning platform that uses documentary film to inspire critical thinking, global awareness, and civic agency. Designed for schools, universities, leadership programs, and international learning communities, it offers ready-to-use film collections and flexible learning resources that connect learning to real-world issues and global perspectives.

Originally developed for UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Education network, SIMA Academy brings vetted, short-format media into learning environments worldwide—empowering learners to see clearly, think independently, and act with purpose.

SIMA Academy bridges the power of world-class documentary storytelling with the needs of today’s learning environments.

Unlike mainstream streaming platforms, SIMA Academy is fully curated, ad-free, and free from algorithmic influence—offering educators and learners a trusted media space designed for reflection, dialogue, and critical thinking.

Its award-winning films are sourced globally and selected through the annual SIMA Awards for their creative excellence, social relevance, and educational value. Each title is embedded within flexible curriculum assets and Film Club tools that transform viewing into inquiry-based learning, conversation, and—when appropriate—civic engagement.

Designed to integrate seamlessly across subjects, age groups, and settings, SIMA Academy functions as a living curriculum resource, supporting classrooms, leadership programs, and community learning spaces alike.

At its core, SIMA Academy doesn’t just inform—it invites learners to slow down, engage deeply, and connect global stories to their own lives, cultivating the skills and mindset needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.

SIMA Academy is designed for schools, universities, and organizations that want to engage learners with trusted stories from around the world.

It is used by:

• Educators and faculty across disciplines (humanities, social studies, global studies, ethics, sustainability, media literacy)

• Students and youth leaders in classrooms, Film Clubs, and leadership programs

• Libraries, NGOs, and community organizations facilitating dialogue, civic learning, global awareness, and collaboration

• International learning networks working in global citizenship, intercultural dialogue, and youth leadership

SIMA Academy is built to be flexible and easy to integrate, whether used for a single lesson, an ongoing course, a Film Club, or a community program—supporting learning that is reflective, participatory, and grounded in real-world context.

All SIMA Academy resources are designed to integrate seamlessly into diverse learning frameworks, including international and national standards, such as:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) and Common Core 
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• UNESCO Global Citizenship Education (GCED) competencies
• 21st-Century Skills and Global Competencies

 Your annual license includes:

• Institution-wide access for members, participants, faculty and students, based on your selected license tier.

• Unlimited classroom and Film Club screenings, with no per-title or per-screening fees.

• Award-winning short documentaries and impact films, curated globally through the annual SIMA Awards.

• Regular content updates, with approximately 30 new films added each year to keep collections current and relevant.

• Curated film collections organized by theme, region, subject, SDGs, and film length for easy discovery.

• Flexible curriculum assets, including lesson modules, Filmmaker Q&As, and inquiry-based learning tools.

• Film Club facilitation guide to support student- or facilitator-led clubs, dialogue, and community screenings.

• Onboarding and implementation support, including a welcome kit, knowledge base, and step-by-step onboarding 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 newsletters.

• Recognition for educators and institutions through the annual SIMA Changemaker Award, celebrating excellence in impact-driven learning.

Each Institution receives a unique Access Code that provides access for all members, participants, faculty and students. Users can stream from any device, on campus or remotely. SIMA Academy also integrates with Google Classroom, Canvas, and most LMS platforms.

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. You can also connect your device to a projector or TV screen for classroom, Film Club, or community screenings.

Once your device app is activated, selected titles can be downloaded within the app 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. 

Yes. Each purchased Individual License includes a 7-day free trial during which cancellation is available at anytime. Trial periods for Group- or Institution Licenses range between 7 and 14 days upon request.

Yes. All films on SIMA Academy are professionally vetted for educational relevance, age appropriateness, and cleared with full classroom licensing rights for institutional use.

Content advisories and trigger warnings are provided to support informed facilitation and alignment with learners’ maturity levels and learning objectives.

In line with best practices for digital platforms, SIMA Academy recommends that learner accounts be restricted to users ages 13 and older.

SIMA Academy features documentaries from over 100 countries, representing a wide range of voices, cultures, and lived experiences. Films are selected for authenticity, creative excellence, and global relevance, with a focus on stories and perspectives often underrepresented in mainstream media.

Most films include subtitles and closed captions, with additional languages and accessibility features added on an ongoing basis—supporting inclusive, culturally respectful, and meaningful engagement for diverse learning communities worldwide.

SIMA Academy currently reaches 160,000+ students and 5,800 educators across 100+ countries. Schools report measurable gains in student performance, media literacy, and student engagement, with educators describing the experience as “transformative” and “essential for teaching global awareness.” Read our impact stories here and our testimonials here.

 Getting started with SIMA Academy is simple:

1. Request Access and purchase a license.
2. Receive your purchase confirmation, custom Access Code, and member onboarding kit.
3. Share access with your learning community using invitation and instruction templates provided.

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.