Screenings, Conversations & Solidarity: The Work Continues
Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to share SUMUD: A Doctor’s Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza and The Palestine Exception in a range of community and festival settings, each offering space for thoughtful dialogue about storytelling, memory, and solidarity with the people of Palestine.
From our theatrical premiere to festival screenings and online conversations with colleagues and audiences, these gatherings have been powerful reminders of how film can open space for collective reflection and engagement. I’m grateful to the many organizers, collaborators, and viewers who continue to bring these conversations to life and sustain the broader movement for justice and dignity for Palestinians.
“The closest sort of English analogy to sumud is steadfastness--this notion of standing your ground, of withstanding. A large part of the reason why it has come to take on the meaning it has, particularly with respect to the occupation of Palestine and to the myriad indignities to which the Palestinian people are subjected on a daily basis, is because it relates to the notion of not just steadfastness, but steadfastness in the face of glaring asymmetry, asymmetry of violence, asymmetry of resources, and so on and so forth.”
- Omar El Akkad, SUMUD documentary
🎞️ The Palestine Exception Screening at Al Ard Film Festival
In February, I was honored to screen The Palestine Exception at the Al Ard Film Festival, held annually in Cagliari, Italy. The festival brings together filmmakers, scholars, and audiences committed to exploring Palestinian history, culture, and political struggle through cinema.
Sharing the film in this international setting created space for thoughtful dialogue about academic freedom, censorship, and solidarity movements on university campuses, and we were grateful for the engaged audience and the meaningful conversations that followed the screening.
🎞️ SUMUD Screening at Doctors Against Genocide
On March 1, Doctors Against Genocide hosted a special webinar featuring a screening of Sumud: A Doctor’s Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza. The film was followed by a discussion with Travis Melin, the anesthesiologist and intensivist featured in the film who has completed multiple medical aid missions to Gaza, working at Al Aqsa, Al Awda, and Nasser Hospitals and supporting medical evacuations from northern Gaza.
🎞️ SUMUD Screening at Glia
On March 8, I will join an online event hosted in support of the work of the Glia Institute of Collective Care, beginning with a screening of SUMUD followed by a conversation about the ethical responsibilities of storytelling during times of mass violence. The discussion will explore filmmaking as a form of social memory - how narratives are shaped, whose voices are centered, and what responsibilities filmmakers carry when documenting suffering in real time.
Registration will be offered through a capacity-based donation supporting Glia’s wound care clinic in Gaza. In the spirit of shared responsibility, I invite you to contribute to help sustain the clinic’s essential work and keep participation accessible for others.
❤️ Thank You for Your Support
Last month, we held the theatrical premiere of SUMUD in Portland, Oregon. I was deeply grateful for the many people who came together to support the film. The evening was a powerful reminder that filmmaking is always a collective effort. From the healthcare workers who shared their experiences, to the organizers, volunteers, and audience members who contributed their time, energy, and donations, the event reflected a spirit of solidarity and care.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the premiere possible. Your support strengthens the ongoing movement for justice, dignity, and freedom for Palestinians.
▶️ Now Available for Streaming on Kinema
I’m excited to let you know that SUMUD is now available for streaming on Kinema.
The stream also includes the full panel discussion recorded after our premiere. The conversation is candid, searching, and deeply personal. We talk about what it means to document suffering ethically, about the burden carried by medical workers who return home, and about why storytelling still matters.
The stream will be available to watch anywhere in the world - with a suggested rental of $4.99 and a pay-what-you-can option.
🎥 Free Screenings for Teachers, Community Organizers, and Groups
For teachers, community organizers, and groups, SUMUD is also available directly through our website for educational screenings. I have long believed that films do their deepest work in shared spaces - in classrooms, union halls, community centers - where difficult conversations can unfold collectively.
We are making the film available free of charge to activist organizations and educators.
I hope you’ll watch this film. I hope you’ll share it. And I hope you’ll continue to stand with those whose steadfast perseverance keeps truth alive.