Your Attention Deserves Attention – A Cinetree Original

In the very first Cinetree Original short documentary, Hanna Verboom—renowned actress and social entrepreneur—joins professor Erik Scherder to explore one of today’s most pressing issues: attention.

In a world dominated by screens—smartphones, laptops, and endless notifications—our ability to focus is constantly under attack. But what does this mean for our brains? And more importantly, how can we reclaim our attention in an era of distractions?

This isn’t just a challenge for the viewer—it also affects the creators behind the content we consume. In a digital landscape shaped by algorithms, storytelling is increasingly dictated by what grabs attention the fastest, rather than what truly matters. How does this influence creative freedom? And what happens when technology, rather than intention, starts shaping the stories we tell?

This short documentary delves into the impact of digital overload and offers insights and solutions to help us refocus and live more consciously. Because in a time when everything moves faster, real attention is more valuable than ever.

Approach

At Medianauts, we don’t just produce—we create. For Cinetree’s first Original, we developed and wrote the concept for Your Attention Deserves Attention, working closely with award-winning documentary director Susanne Opstal to bring the story to life.

From our first conversations with Cinetree, we knew this had to be more than a one-off film. Instead, we proposed a format-driven approach, allowing for a deeper exploration of themes beyond just this first documentary. The challenge? Finding the core issue that would serve as the foundation of both the series and the first film.

We identified attention as the defining theme—something that affects not just viewers, but also creators, as algorithms increasingly dictate what gets made. With limited time, we moved fast: researching, structuring the narrative, and securing the right voices before heading into production.

The result? A documentary that doesn’t just inform—it sparks conversation. The film has already been featured at multiple festivals, serving as a discussion starter and inspiring audiences to rethink their relationship with screens. Proof that a strong story doesn’t just stay on the screen—it drives real change.

Production team

Director: Susanne Opstal
Concept: Tom de Jong, Susanne Opstal
Production: Kimberly ten Tuijnte & Tom de Jong
DOP: Pieter Colombijn
Bestboy: Frits Schreefel
Production assistant: Martine Coehorst
Edit: Remco Hoogenboom (Reverzefilms)
Grading: Koert van der Ploeg
Mix/sound: Amplifeye
Location: Medianauts / Spijkerkade Studio’s
Talents: Ayne, Jounnesse, Sabbar
Presenter/experts: Hanna Verboom, Erik Scherder
PR/Communication: Cinetree