Storytelling Across Borders: A Spicy Milestone
We are thrilled to announce that our founder, Erick Inghatt Matsanza, has been selected as part of the Cinema Across Borders 2025/26 Fellows Cohort by SIMA Studios. This recognition is not only a personal honour but also a collective milestone for the entire Spice Without Borders community.
About Cinema Across Borders
Since its founding in 2012 by award-winning filmmaker and human rights activist Daniela Kon, SIMA has become the world’s leading curator of social impact cinema. Through the annual Cinema Across Borders program, SIMA collaborates with local leaders, community groups, film festivals, and human rights forums in more than 30 countries.
The initiative goes far beyond film screenings. It creates spaces for meaningful dialogue, fosters grassroots coalitions, and inspires community-led action on the pressing issues of our time. By bringing stories to life on screen, SIMA empowers communities to see possibilities, challenge injustices, and co-create solutions from the ground up.
Why This Matters to Spice Without Borders
At Spice Without Borders, we believe that stories are more than narratives—they are catalysts for transformation. This fellowship aligns perfectly with our SPICE identity:
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Strength – drawing resilience from communities at the margins.
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Purpose – using storytelling to amplify voices for justice.
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Innovation – embracing film and creative media as tools for change.
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Creativism – blending creativity with activism to shift perspectives.
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Equity – ensuring that diverse voices are seen, heard, and valued.
Erick’s fellowship reflects our ongoing commitment to nurture changemakers who can transform challenges into opportunities through creativity, courage, and compassion.
Looking Ahead
As part of the 2025/26 Fellows Cohort, Erick will connect with global changemakers, participate in screenings, and help spark dialogues that encourage empathy, equity, and collective action. His journey through Cinema Across Borders is also Spice Without Borders’ journey—showing how creativity from the margins can ripple outwards to inspire global transformation.
👉 Learn more about the Cinema Across Borders fellowship here: SIMA Studios
We celebrate this milestone with gratitude and excitement, knowing that every story told is a step closer to a world free from prejudice, discrimination, and oppression.
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