SUMUD: A Doctor’s Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza
In Arabic, SUMUD means steadfast perseverance. It is a word I have heard again and again over the past year - spoken quietly in hospital corridors, in the exhausted voices of doctors, and in the testimony of those who continue to bear witness as the world looks away.
As increasing numbers of journalists in Gaza are killed by Israeli forces, Gazan health care workers and international medical volunteers serve as vital reporters bearing witness to the ongoing genocide.
🎞️ Theatrical Premiere
On February 8, 2026, we held the theatrical premiere of SUMUD: A Doctor’s Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza in Portland, Oregon. The film follows Dr. Travis Meleen, an American anesthesiologist volunteering at Nasser Hospital in Gaza as he works with Palestinian surgical teams that continue training at Nasser Hospital even as the medical center is under siege. The film includes commentary from Omar El Akkad, an Egyptian-Canadian journalist and writer reporting on the genocide. He is the author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.
The premiere was followed by a panel discussion and audience Q and A with Dr. Meleen, El Akkad and myself.
▶️ 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 total program running time is 66 minutes.
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.
🔊 Podcast on NPR Think Out Loud
Dr. Meleen and I joined Think Out Loud to discuss the making of SUMUD. In that conversation, we spoke about what compelled him to go, what compelled me to film, and what we hope these stories might move viewers to do. You can listen to the episode online through NPR. The exchange reminded me that documentary filmmaking is never a solitary act - it’s a web of conversations, risks, and responsibilities.
🎥 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.