Breaking: Hollywood company to tell our story in animated film
Some news still feels unreal even as you are living it.
Today, we are sharing something very personal and incredibly meaningful to our family: our story is being adapted into an animated feature film called Shokolata (Arabic for “chocolate”), produced by Rising Tides Films in Hollywood.
This project came together quietly at first, through conversations about how our journey might be told in a way that feels imaginative, and true to who we are. When Rising Tides approached us with the idea of animation, it immediately felt right. They officially optioned the rights to our story, and we are honoured to see it unfold through this creative lens.
What makes Shokolata special to us is that it it is also filled with joy, fantasy, resilience, humour, and a lot of chocolate. It is about family and the small moments that shape who we become.
Rising Tides Films is committed to honouring Syrian culture, not only the trauma of war, but the beauty of home. They care about the details: the architecture of Damascus, the colours, the sounds, the rhythm of daily life, the warmth that exists even in difficult times.
Kenard Pak © 2025 Rising Tides Films
They’ve assembled an extraordinary creative team, including Syrian and Arab artists, alongside animation veterans whose work shaped films many of us grew up watching—Madagascar, Shrek, The Prince of Egypt, Trolls, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The level of experience and heart behind this project is huge.
Animation gives our story the freedom to mix reality and imagination in a way live action never could. It allows grief and joy to coexist. It allows memory to breathe.
At its core, Shokolata is a story about peace.
Peace as something we need in order to live, learn, love, and build. Peace as something fragile, yet persistent. Peace as something worth protecting.
We hope this film helps audiences see refugees not only through the lens of loss, but through possibility. Thank you for walking this journey with us.
There is so much more to come.
(Featured photo: BG: Yoriko Ito. Characters: Reem Ali-Adeeb,Talia Ellis, Yasmine Salem, Robby Cook © 2025 Rising Tides Films)