Private Project

Trauma: The New Epidemic

Follow the journey of Dr. Abiy Worku and Dr. Solomon Goshu, two of only six fully trained orthopedic trauma surgeons serving the 130 million residents of Ethiopia, out of a repurposed hotel. They team up with an American surgeon, Dr. Archie Heddings, to combat the global rise in trauma. The film takes you into Ethiopia’s only public trauma center, where hallways overflow, electricity flickers, and equipment shortages demand ingenious solutions to keep patients alive. Open your eyes to an unseen perspective profoundly shaped by the demands of the Western world.

  • Backer Hamada
    Director
  • Matt Jacobson
    Director
    C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, Bukowski: Born Into This, The Only Good Indian, Chasing Chasing Amy
  • Backer Hamada
    Producer
  • Matt Jacobson
    Producer
    The Hardest Thing to Earn (2015), Destination to Planet Negro (2013), 30 Seconds to Midnight (2011), Rearview Mirror (2011), Room Next Door (2011), The Nuclear Standard (2010), Air: The Musical (2010), Candy (2009), C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004), The Fascist of X-Mart (2003), Cupid and Psycho (1996), Opportunity (1987)
  • Archie Heddings
    Key Cast
    "Orthopedic Surgeon"
  • Solomon Goshu
    Key Cast
    "Orthopedic Fellow"
  • Abiy Worku
    Key Cast
    "Orthopedic Fellow"
  • Sterling Anderson
    Production Assistant
  • Gonzalo Arzamendia
    Production Assistant
  • Delilah Begay
    Production Assistant
  • Cash Erikson
    Production Assistant
  • Vichie Hou
    Production Assistant
  • Brandon Luck
    Production Assistant
  • Kyle McBride
    Production Assistant
  • Casey Watson
    Production Assistant
  • Archie Heddings
    Executive Producers
  • Brad Thomas
    Executive Producers
  • Michelle Thomas
    Executive Producers
  • Backer Hamada
    Camera
  • Matt Jacobson
    Camera
    The Heroic True-Life Adventures of Alvin Brooks, No Place Like Home, William Allen White: What's the Matter with Kansas, The Square Root, The Profit, Sketches, Jayhawkers, Destination Planet Negro, The Only Good Indian, The Battle for Bunker Hill, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, Bukowski: Born into This, Computer Illusions, Beestung
  • Cash Erikson
    Camera
  • Brandon Luck
    Camera
  • Casey Watson
    Camera
  • Betsy Armstrong
    Camera
  • Backer Hamada
    Editor
  • Sam Walker
    Composition
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Healthcare, Medical, Humanitarian, Educational, Social, African
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 13, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Ethiopia, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Ethiopia, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Awareness Festival
    Santa Monica
    United States
    October 25, 2025
    Grand Jury Doc Short
  • KC Film Festival International
    Kansas City, MO
    United States
    March 30, 2025
    Audience Choice Award
  • Williamsburg International Film & Music Competition

    United States
    Runner-Up Documentary Short Film Competition
  • African Cultural Film Festival (AFFRICUFF)
    Houston
    United States
    October 25, 2025
    Best Documentary
  • Free State Festival
    Lawrence, Kansas
    United States
    June 27, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Uplift Film Festival
    Webb City and Joplin, MO
    United States
    January 10, 2025
    Best Documentary Short
  • Thurrock International Film Festival
    Essex
    United Kingdom
    October 19, 2025
    Jury Award
  • Frames of New York
    New York City
    United States
    Honorable Mention
  • London International Filmmakers Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Semi-Finalist
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Short - October 2025
  • Replay International Film Festival
    Vienna
    Austria
    December 4, 2025
    Official Selection
  • London International Filmmakers Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Best International Documentary
Director Biography - Backer Hamada, Matt Jacobson

Matthew Jacobson is a Professor of Film and Media Studies at the University of Kansas. He earned his M.F.A. in Film and Video Production from the University of Southern California. Before joining academia, he worked in the Los Angeles film and video industry, collaborating with notable directors and actors. Since 1999, Matt has been a faculty member at KU, where he teaches various film production courses, including Experimental Film, Music Video Production, and Cinematography. Matt Jacobson has more than 50 feature film and video credits, including two Sundance Film Festival features, Kevin Willmott's CSA: Confederate States of America, and Bukowski: Born Into This, directed by John Dullaghan.

Backer Hamada, a first-time director, was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated in 2023 from the University of Kansas with a degree in Film and Media Production. As a student, Backer served on KJHK's Executive Board as the Video Director, worked for KU Marketing as a PA, and did various contract work. He now serves as the Director of Marketing for IOTC where he built the organization’s marketing department through media production, social media, web design, and fundraising. Backer is passionate about using his media abilities to present unbiased global perspectives and create meaningful impact.

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