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A new PBS documentary

For most of the twentieth century, most doctors believed newborns couldn’t feel pain — and operated on them with little or no anesthesia.

The Film

Fish and Babies (Don’t Feel Pain) is a new PBS documentary that tells the story of how that belief was overturned in the late 1980s — and why, despite decades of evidence that early-life pain can leave lasting physiological and psychological consequences, an estimated 60% of neonatal procedures still involve avoidable pain today.

The film weaves revealing access to the pioneers of the original paradigm shift, the clinicians advancing the field now, and the testimony of patients and families. Director Tim van den Hoff was operated on as an infant without anesthesia. Now a father of two young children, he made this film to explore why avoidable pain in newborns is still common — and what it will take to finally end it.

The Message

Most people know little about the disturbing blind spot in pain management for the youngest of patients who cannot yet speak for themselves. Every year, millions of families place their newborns in the care of providers they trust to make the right decisions.

In the late 1980s, public outrage combined with pressure within medicine shifted the paradigm, and within five years practice worldwide turned around.

By bringing this history back into view and connecting it to today’s challenges, Fish and Babies (Don’t Feel Pain) will spark a new conversation about what ending avoidable pain requires.

It depends on parents knowing what care to expect, healthcare professionals being equipped and supported to provide it, institutions recognizing their moral responsibility to protect patients from avoidable pain, and policymakers making best practice the standard in every hospital. Together, we can build the momentum to finish what was started four decades ago.

Film still · Dr. Paul Hickey
“It takes a long time for a change in practice–even one abundantly supported by scientific evidence.”
Dr. Paul HickeyBoston Children’s Hospital

Our Release

An estimated 60% of neonatal procedures still involve avoidable pain. Fish and Babies is the film that can change that — by reaching the parents, providers, institutions, and policymakers who have the power to close the gap. Our film will generate awareness and impact through the following campaigns:

  1. Festival & Theatrical Releaseto grow our audience & engage national press
  2. Educational Screening Events & Conversationsat medical and nursing schools, training orgs & hospitals
  3. CME-accredited Training Materialsfor hospital & professional training
  4. NICU Parents Screening Campaignreaching families of hospitalized babies
  5. Policymaker Engagement Campaignin DC and legislatures across the country
  6. Digital releasethrough major online streaming platforms
  7. Interactive virtual screeningsin communities across the country
  8. National PBS Broadcastreaching millions of U.S. viewers
Film still · Dr. Anna Taddio
“When we don’t pay attention to pain, we are causing harm.”
Dr. Anna TaddioSickKids Toronto
Portrait of Dr. Kanwaljeet “Sunny” Anand

“The Latin root of ‘infant’ means ‘unable to speak.’ For decades, we assumed that meant they could not suffer. We were wrong.

Science has corrected the facts, but practice lags behind. This initiative gives a voice to that unresolved history, grounding the science in lived experience to create the conviction we need to finally close the gap.”

Dr. Kanwaljeet “Sunny” AnandStanford University

The Team

Portrait of Tim van den Hoff

Director / Producer

Tim van den Hoff

Tim’s credits include the Cannes Corporate award-winning medical film Committed to Freedom, still used in clinical settings today, and Monumental Crossroads, broadcast internationally and distributed to hundreds of universities worldwide.

A father of two and a survivor of unsedated infant surgery, Tim uses a historical lens to engage with current societal issues and is uniquely equipped to bring this film to audiences globally.

Portrait of Keith Ochwat

Distribution Strategist

Keith Ochwat

Keith is a documentary filmmaker and the founder of Show&Tell. Over twelve years he produced three films that aired on PBS and Netflix, among them Age of Champions, which screened in more than 3,000 communities with partners including AARP and Cigna.

He has advised hundreds of filmmakers on distribution and impact campaigns, helping them raise more than $20 million through partnerships and sponsorships.

Scientific advisors

  • Dr. Kanwaljeet “Sunny” AnandStanford University
  • Dr. Bonnie StevensUniversity of Toronto
  • Dr. Paul HickeyBoston Children’s Hospital
  • Dr. Anna TaddioSickKids Toronto

Join us

60%of neonatal procedures still involve avoidable pain

“They’re the most vulnerable population and very unable to speak up for themselves. So we have to be their voice.”
Dr. Bonnie StevensUniversity of Toronto

Catalytic support

Considering a larger gift, institutional partnership, or introduction to someone who should see this?

Request a private briefing

We can share the project briefing, budget, fiscal details, and production plan in a private call.

U.S. tax-deductible gifts

For donors in the United States, contributions are made through our fiscal sponsor, the International Documentary Association.

Donate via IDA

U.S. donations through IDA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

International gifts

International donations can be made directly to Gander Yonder Foundation, the Dutch charitable foundation behind the project.

Donate internationally

Gander Yonder Foundation has Dutch Cultural ANBI status.