IMI Awards

The IMI Awards were established in 2023 to shine a spotlight on exceptional independent creators. The Awards were created in recognition of the power and ubiquity of independent media. They are the first prestige prizes awarded specifically to independent creators to honor the intrinsic value of media created in the place where the modern world listens, reads, and watches—the internet.

IMI Award Winners

Fusion Award

Destin Sandlin and the channel

“Smarter Every Day”

Since 2006, Sandlin has used YouTube to explore the world using science. Centering his hometown community in northern Alabama, Sandlin has used his storytelling ability and experience as a US civilian army missile engineer to share the engineering process with millions of people. Sandlin and Smarter Every Day have also worked to shift the culture of content creation by organizing creator community events, mentoring dozens of creators, and encouraging the creation of curious, respectful, and authentic online content. His leadership has been instrumental in building and sustaining educational scientific content as a genre on YouTube, and set the bar for exceptional educational content overall.

About the Fusion Award

For long-term creation of exceptional content and leadership in the independent media community, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). Fusion is the process which powers the Sun and other stars, produces virtually all elements, and sustains the star against the pressure of its own weight which would otherwise collapse it. IMI’s Fusion Award recognizes individuals who spark and sustain movements in independent media over many years, honoring their service to the community and the power they generate which sustains both audiences and creators alike.

IMI Award Winners

Pioneer Award

Ryan Ng

For pioneering vision and service to the independent media community, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Awarded to Ryan Ng for the “YouTube New Wave” movement and the video “Money Killed YouTube, Here’s How We Fix It”. Ng’s autobiographical video essay is a vision for the future of media, in which a ‘new wave’ of story-driven YouTube creators disrupts the traditional media ecosystem and prevailing sensationalism of YouTube to become the next generation of filmmakers. In the last year, the hashtag #youtubenewwave has been tagged in over 2,400 videos from 796 YouTube channels, seeding a movement that continues to gain recognition in the independent media landscape.

Excellence in Audio or Video Reporting

Erica Heilman

For distinguished coverage of significant issues which serves the public interest using audio or video media, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Awarded to Erica Heilman for the podcast “Rumble Strip” episode “Leland is Moving On”. Heilman’s reporting captures deeply personal truths about life in rural Vermont. Heilman’s connection with her subjects over many years of reporting brings a global audience to the biggest and smallest concerns of her hometown, and serves as a vehicle to bring her community together.

Excellence in Storytelling

Van Neistat

For distinguished storytelling in independent media, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Awarded to Van Neistat for the video “Running Sucks.” Neistat’s videos center mundane everyday tasks, which he masterfully elevates to poetic and self-reflective works of philosophy that inspire people to take action in their own lives.

Excellence in Audio or Video Investigation

Jane Marie

For distinguished investigative reporting using audio or video media, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Awarded to Jane Marie for seasons one and two of “The Dream” podcast. “The Dream” sharply revealed the exploitative and unaccountable nature of multilevel marketing and wellness industries, expertly blending Marie’s personal experience with deeply researched investigative reporting.

Excellence in Audio or Video Composition

Anand Varma

For distinguished arrangement of audio or visual elements in a piece of independent media, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Awarded to Anand Varma for “Jellyfish Revealed”. Varma’s work finds the untapped visual potential of scientific subjects. By blending scientific themes with an artist’s point of view, Varma constructs immersive experiences that engage the public with the unseen beauty of the natural world.

IMI AWARD
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About the Awards

download official release here

The IMI Awards were established in 2023 to shine a spotlight on exceptional independent creators. The awards were created in recognition of the power and ubiquity of independent media. They are the first prestige prizes awarded specifically to independent creators to honor the intrinsic value of media created in the place where the modern world listens, reads and watches—the internet.

Award winners are selected on the basis of an “exceptional” piece of work or contribution to the independent media landscape, in the sense that no one “except” for them could have made it. The IMI Awards embrace the spirit and power of independent media, which allows individuals to share their skills, community, creativity, and spirit directly with a global audience. The award includes a monetary prize in recognition of the substantial impact that award winners have had on society, and their potential to do so in the future.

The IMI Awards are “no strings attached” awards, which do not require specific projects or reports from award winners, or evaluate award winners after the award is made. Award winners are selected on the recommendation of the IMI Board of Directors, with nominations solicited from a community of independent media creators and advisors.

IMI Awards

IMI Award Winners

IMI Award Winners

IMI AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEeches

About the Awards

download official release here

IMI AWARD
ACCEPTANCE
SPEeches