Chicago Palestine Film Festival: Gaza Doctor Documentary Featured | WTTW

The Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF) will feature a documentary, “American Doctor,” focusing on three U.S. Physicians who volunteered in Gaza, according to reporting from WTTW Chicago.

The festival, running from April 11-25 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, will showcase over 50 films, including both feature-length and short films. “American Doctor” is scheduled for an encore screening on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 12:15 PM and 3:15 PM.

A Look Inside “American Doctor”

Directed by Poh Si Teng, the 90-minute documentary follows Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Mark Perlmutter and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa – physicians of Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian backgrounds, respectively – as they navigate the complexities of providing medical care in Gaza. The film explores their experiences both within a Gazan hospital under siege and in the halls of Congress, as they advocate for their Palestinian colleagues and patients.

The film is described as a “vérité non-fiction” account, offering an unfolding, on-the-ground perspective of the challenges faced by the doctors. According to a review in The Hollywood Reporter, the film prioritizes the humanitarian story over overt political messaging, while still implicitly condemning the violence and U.S. Support for it.

“It’s hard to make a documentary about the war in Gaza that does not feel overtly political. And yet director Poh Si Teng’s unflinching new exposé, American Doctor, is first and foremost a humanitarian story — one in which medicine and moral decency take precedence over partisanship.”

The Hollywood Reporter

The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Director Poh Si Teng, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, and Producer Reem Haddad. The encore presentation is co-hosted with the Doc10 Film Festival.

The Doctors’ Backgrounds and Approach

The documentary highlights the distinct personalities and approaches of the three doctors. Dr. Ahmad is portrayed as measured and strategic, while Dr. Perlmutter is described as blunt and emotionally driven. Dr. Sidhwa is noted for being media-savvy and prolific in sharing their experiences.

Despite their differences, the doctors are united by their shared commitment to saving lives. The film follows their efforts to maintain a promise to their Palestinian colleagues and continue their work in the United States, advocating for change and support.

Additional Film Screening

Prior to “American Doctor,” the short film “A SHORT FILM ABOUT KIDS,” directed by Ibrahim Handal, will be screened. The 10-minute film depicts four children from a Bethlehem refugee camp visiting the sea for the first time.

Tickets for “American Doctor” and other festival screenings are available through the Chicago Palestine Film Festival website. The festival aims to provide a platform for Palestinian stories and perspectives, fostering dialogue and understanding.

WTTW, Chicago’s PBS station, reported on the inclusion of the documentary within the festival lineup, highlighting its focus on a local doctor’s volunteer work in Gaza. The station’s coverage underscores the film’s relevance to the Chicago community and its broader implications for humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.