nyrabia trained as a film producer at the ina/sorbonne in france. in 2002, he co-founded proaction films, the first independent film production and distribution company in syria. he and his partner and wife, diana el jeiroudi, launched dox box in early 2008. the international documentary film festival grew quickly into the most important documentary film gathering in the arab world. the festival started with screenings in damascus cinemas but from 2009 on screenings were expanded to other syrian cities including homs and tartus. along with the annual festival, many workshops and activities were offered to young syrian filmmakers. the fifth edition of the festival, planned for march 2012, was cancelled in protest of the syrian government's crackdown on protesters during the ongoing syrian uprising. instead, nyrabia advocated for syrian documentary films to be shown in festivals around the world in what was termed the "dox box global day." the aim, according to the dox box website, was to show "how poverty, oppression and isolation do not prevent humans from being spectacularly brave, stubborn and dignified." his work with dox box earned him and his partner, diana el jeiroudi, several awards including the katrin cartlidge award and the european documentary award in 2012.