2024 in Review: Our Biggest Year Yet at Wishbox Media
2024 has been our most productive year!
As we close out an incredibly productive year, we reflect on our most transformative year since our founding in 2019.
From producing our very first documentary to expanding our talented team and embracing bold, new storytelling mediums, 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. While public events brought challenges, they also deepened connections with our audiences, underscoring the importance of the work we do every day.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our clients, funders, and collaborators. Together, we’ve not only grown as a company but have also empowered other creatives to bring their visions to life.
As we prepare to share some of this year’s biggest highlights, we want to take a moment to wish you a Happy New Year. Thank you for being an integral part of our story.
💡 What we've been up to
🎥 We produced a feature on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in public schools in Jordan. Written by Hadeel Al Bis, this feature has been brought to life through engaging motion graphics by Omar Abdallat, underscoring the power of visual storytelling.
🌐 Our website is being updated (and renovated) and all our projects for 2024 along with a brand-new portfolio will be featured there. It’s a one-stop destination for exploring our services and seeing examples of our work.
🎥 We hosted a screening of our debut documentary at the Embassy of Switzerland in Amman, followed by an engaging Q&A session. This heartfelt tribute to Asma Khader continues to inspire critical conversations about women’s rights in Jordan.
💼 As we conclude our work on the International Center for Journalists’ project, we’re hopeful that the Content Innovation Fund will gain more support in 2025 to continue empowering creatives. This year 13 freelance journalists and content creators worked on their individual projects and they were featured at an event in Amman.
💁🏻♂️ We’re thrilled to welcome Ameer Helles from Gaza as our new bid manager and reporting officer. At the same time, we bid farewell to Jamie, who successfully completed her internship with us this semester. We also look forward to collaborating with Basant Zeidan through her initiative, Fesfori.
🖍️ Our writer Natasha Tynes has published a new short story in the Markaz Review titled The Head of the Table.
🎤 Our founder, Rana F. Sweis, joined Asma Al-Obaidi from the Marie Colvin Network to discuss how platforms like TikTok and Instagram are reshaping journalism. Watch the full interview here.
🪻We recently traveled to Umm Qais to document the incredible work of Wijdan Malkawi, the founder of Roses House. Her efforts in sustainable tourism are empowering her community while preserving cultural heritage. This photo story will be released soon, pairing stunning visuals with immersive audio.
🗄️ From the archive
🎙️ We are reposting this live talk with blogger and social media expert Hadeel Shahadeh about techniques for producing video reels on social media platforms.
📺 Our media consumption
We’ve been paying close attention to the possibility of defunding the American public broadcasting channels NPR and PBS as Republican Senator John Kennedy introduced the No Propaganda Act, which seeks to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting citing claims of liberal bias at NPR and PBS. This development raises critical concerns about the future of independent journalism and public media in the US.
With the latest developments in Syria, we are turning our attention towards media outlets that have been functioning in exile like Syria Direct, as we watch closely the future of the media in Syria.
“If you haven’t already, check out Surveilled by journalist Ronan Farrow: This compelling documentary on the commercial spyware industry and its ethical dilemmas.
Town & Country's Best Podcasts of 2024 highlights a diverse range of shows, from investigative series like Empire City to personal narratives such as My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani. This curated list reflects the dynamic evolution of podcasting, featuring thought-provoking and entertaining content that captivated audiences this year.
Jordanian journalist Daoud Kuttab has published a book titled State of Palestine NOW, in which he presents a compelling case for the immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood as a pathway to Middle East peace.
We are keeping an eye on Substack as it introduces new powerful features that are empowering a new wave of independent media by providing writers with tools to publish directly to their audiences. This model enables journalists and creators to build sustainable ventures outside traditional media institutions.
📩 Looking for fresh ways to tell your story, produce a video, or design a report? Get in touch, and let’s bring your ideas to life!Send us a message: wishboxmediame@gmail.com
