Wishbox Media's Debut: Behind the Documentary
This month, we premiered our very first documentary—a heartfelt tribute to the late advocate Asma Khader.
At Wishbox Media, we’re lifelong learners, always evolving, and today we’re beaming. On November 25th, at the iconic Rainbow Theatre in Amman, we premiered our very first documentary—a heartfelt tribute to the late Asma Khader, a fearless champion of human rights and women’s empowerment in Jordan and beyond.
Documentaries continue to be powerful storytelling tools that shed light on critical issues and inspire change. From Bowling for Columbine to regional gems like For Sama, capturing a Syrian mother’s experience during the Aleppo siege, and The Square, chronicling Egypt’s 2011 revolution, these films spark cultural waves. At Wishbox Media, we’re excited to harness this dynamic medium to inform, inspire, and drive action.
Our debut documentary brings this vision to life, celebrating Asma’s legacy while igniting conversations about women’s rights in Jordan. The premiere brought together over 100 attendees, including activists, cultural icons, and influential political figures.
This is just the beginning, and we couldn’t be prouder. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!
Warm wishes,
Rana F. Sweis
Founder, Wishbox Media Company
💡 What we've been up to
📍 The Sehes animation series in collaboration with Konrad Stiftung Jordan and cartoonist Omar Abdallat continues, bringing lesser-known Jordanian cities to life. Our recent episodes highlight include:
Madaba & Mount Nebo: A look into the Hakaya Museum and its storytelling treasures.
Ajloun: Featuring the majestic Ajloun Castle and the new cable car experience.
Irbid: Exploring Arar’s cultural house, a hub for Jordanian literary heritage.
Also on Nov 24, the Wishbox Media team visited the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to interview individuals for a special Sehes feature, amplifying voices and stories from this community.
Here is a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the Sehes series:
📊 In our second infographic on women’s economic empowerment, we are diving deeper into how policies like flexible work models, maternity leave, and pay equity can reshape opportunities for women in Jordan. More details are coming soon.
🎥 Premiere: A Lifelong Battle for Justice:
On November 25th, Wishbox Media premiered our first documentary in collaboration with USAID Makanati. The event, held at the Rainbow Theatre, brought together over 100 attendees who engaged in a meaningful panel discussion following the screening. The discussion explored the film’s central themes, highlighting the status of women in Jordan and honoring the legacy of the late Asma Khader.
The audience included notable figures such as the Minister of Communications and government spokesperson Mohammad Momani, former Minister of Culture, and Senator Haifa Najjar, as well as representatives from leading women’s organizations, activists, and members of Asma Khader’s family. Their presence underscored the film’s importance in sparking critical conversations on women’s rights and social progress in Jordan.
Another screening is planned and will take place in February in Zarqa, in collaboration with the Royal Film Commission, to reach a broader audience.
📸 Upcoming: Photostory in Um-Qais: We are heading to Um-Qais in December to create a photostory spotlighting Wejdan Malkawi, a dedicated agricultural nursery owner whose story reflects resilience and innovation.
🗄️ From the archive
💼 We really enjoyed creating this animation video for MVMNT on how to reduce work stress and boost employee productivity by practicing yoga at the office.
📺 Our media consumption
📰 X’s mass exodus: The platform formerly known as Twitter is witnessing its largest user drop since Elon Musk's takeover. This comes alongside The Guardian’s decision to stop posting on X, citing it as a “toxic media platform.” The move aligns with growing concerns over the platform’s direction and the impact of its algorithmic shifts.
💻 Blue Sky gains traction: The alternative platform continues to gain attention as users seek alternatives to X, further signaling a shift in the social media landscape.
📊 Where are young people getting their news? A recent poll shows a generational divide in news consumption habits. Most young women turn to TikTok for news, while young men rely on YouTube, X, and Reddit. These patterns highlight the increasing fragmentation of news sources and the challenges for traditional media in reaching younger audiences.
🤔 Teen conspiracy theories on the rise: Teens are consuming and believing conspiracy theories at an alarming rate. This trend has sparked debate about whether schools are doing enough to teach media literacy in a world where misinformation thrives.
📻 TV and radio shakeups: Comcast has announced plans to spin off MSNBC and CNBC, a significant restructuring for the media giant.
The decline of NPR and local stations has sparked concern for public radio’s future, with some attributing it to funding challenges and evolving listener habits.
📚 Books to watch: Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk's latest release Memories of Distant Mountains features over a decade of journal entries and personal musings, paired with his paintings. Another book we are keeping an eye on is Stranger Than Fiction: Lives of the Twentieth-Century Novel by Edwin Frank, the editorial director of New York Review Books in which examines the evolution of the twentieth-century novel. exploring how authors like H.G. Wells, Colette, and Gertrude Stein redefined the novel to mirror the complexities of their times.
🎨 Visual storytelling tools: This article delves into cutting-edge visual storytelling tools like Vev, which offers interactive features like animated charts, and Flourish, perfect for creating dynamic data visualizations. Other tools like Visme, Lottie Animations, and Storytale provide customizable designs, animations, and illustrations to elevate your audience’s engagement.
Congratulations to Jordanian journalist Rana Sabbagh, a senior regional editor for the Organized Crime and Reporting Project (OCCRP), for winning the ICFJ Knight Trailblazer Award.
Drawing together: We recently came across Graphic Mundi, an imprint of Penn State University Press based in University Park, Pennsylvania, which publishes graphic novels for adults and young adults. Their diverse catalog addresses topics such as health, human rights, politics, the environment, science, and technology, aiming to enlighten and inspire readers by highlighting different perspectives and experiences.
📩 Looking for fresh ways to tell your story, edit or 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
