Pediatric Surgeon Consults on Oscar-Winning Short Film About Gun Violence

Dr. Chethan Sathya shares his experience working on 'All the Empty Rooms' and how the film can help move the needle on gun violence prevention.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dr. Chethan Sathya, a pediatric surgeon and director of Northwell Health's Center for Gun Violence Prevention, discusses his involvement as a consulting producer for the Oscar-winning short documentary film 'All the Empty Rooms.' The film follows a journalist and photographer as they document the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings, highlighting the devastating aftermath of gun violence. Sathya shares how the film's unique framing can resonate across the political spectrum and inspire healthcare workers to prioritize gun violence prevention.

Why it matters

The film 'All the Empty Rooms' provides a powerful and emotional look at the human toll of gun violence, moving beyond the headlines to show the lasting impact on families and communities. As a healthcare professional on the frontlines of treating victims of gun violence, Dr. Sathya's involvement in the film underscores the critical role the medical community can play in addressing this public health crisis through advocacy, prevention efforts, and amplifying impactful storytelling.

The details

Dr. Sathya, who has treated numerous young victims of gun violence, was introduced to the film's director, Josh Seftel, through a parent of one of his patients. Sathya provided constant guidance on the film's content, working with the families featured, and developing an impact campaign to drive meaningful change. Unlike many gun violence narratives, 'All the Empty Rooms' avoids political rhetoric and instead focuses on the heartbreaking aftermath, resonating with diverse audiences. The film's Oscar win has significantly expanded its reach, allowing Sathya and the team to host hundreds of screenings and inspire healthcare workers to prioritize gun violence prevention.

  • Dr. Sathya treated a 6-month-old baby with a gunshot wound during his first week on the job in Chicago.
  • A couple years ago, Dr. Sathya treated a 14-year-old girl who was shot in the neck and left paralyzed from the neck down.
  • More recently, Dr. Sathya treated a child who was shot in the abdomen, required 20 units of blood, and is now on a path to potentially pursuing nursing or medical school, breaking the cycle of violence.

The players

Dr. Chethan Sathya

A pediatric surgeon and the director of Northwell Health's Center for Gun Violence Prevention, who served as a consulting producer on the Oscar-winning short documentary film 'All the Empty Rooms.'

Josh Seftel

The director of the Oscar-winning short documentary film 'All the Empty Rooms.'

Steve Hartman

A broadcast journalist who traveled across the country with photographer Lou Bopp to document the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings for the film 'All the Empty Rooms.'

Lou Bopp

A photographer who traveled across the country with broadcast journalist Steve Hartman to document the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings for the film 'All the Empty Rooms.'

Northwell Health

A large healthcare system in New York that has prioritized gun violence prevention efforts, including the largest screening program for patients related to gun violence risk in the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When we think about mass shootings, the headlines almost always focus on the shooter. But we rarely think about the families and the devastation that's left behind. And this film exposes the empty rooms of these children that are no longer here.”

— Dr. Chethan Sathya, Pediatric Surgeon and Director of Northwell Health's Center for Gun Violence Prevention

“Seeing these parents leave that empty room untouched, what they're smelling, what they're feeling after that experience is just absolutely horrific. And that gets people to start thinking, 'What are some solutions I could get behind rather than just shutting down?'”

— Dr. Chethan Sathya, Pediatric Surgeon and Director of Northwell Health's Center for Gun Violence Prevention

What’s next

The film's Oscar win has significantly expanded its reach, allowing Dr. Sathya and the team to host hundreds of screenings and inspire healthcare workers to prioritize gun violence prevention. As part of the film's impact campaign, Dr. Sathya hopes to continue engaging the medical community to advocate for policies and take action to help prevent mass shootings.

The takeaway

This powerful documentary film provides a unique and emotionally resonant perspective on the devastating aftermath of gun violence, moving beyond the headlines to highlight the human toll on families and communities. By involving a healthcare professional like Dr. Sathya, the film underscores the critical role the medical community can play in addressing this public health crisis through advocacy, prevention efforts, and amplifying impactful storytelling.