Filmed during the hottest days of Phoenix, Arizona’s summer heatwave, A NEW INFERNO follows paramedics as they race to save the lives of heatstroke victims using a radical new treatment: ice immersion therapy.

As featured on the NY Times Op Docs — We Are Living in a New Inferno

World Premiere SXSW Film Festival, 2026

Featuring Jason Smith, Jake West, Roy Lewis, & Colter Fosdick
Directed & Produced by Nita Blum-Reddick & Jonathan Pickett
Executive Producers Sam Osborn, Alejandra Vasquez, & Jesse Ray Sheps
Cinematographer Ryan Dent
Editor Jonathan Pickett
Composer Jack Gillette
Production Sound Mixer Daniel Reddick
Grips Stephane Strande & Brian Osback
Sound Design & Mix Hansdale Hsu
Colorist Keyhan Bayegan
Production Assistant Camden Smith
Title & Poster Designer Jason Cryer
Weather Consultant Jorge Torres
Advisors Dr. Charles Finch, Medical Director, Phoenix Fire Department & Maki Lloyd, Deputy Chief, Phoenix Fire Department

For The New York Times Op-Docs:
Associate Producers Ingrid Homquist & Rebecca Shaid
Producer Yvonne Ashley Kouadjo
Senior Producer Andrew Blackwell
Executive Producer Alexandra Garcia

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Festivals:
• Tribeca x NYT Op-Docs
• Mountainfilm
• Rooftop Films
• Palm Springs International ShortFest
• Indy Shorts Film Festival
• HollyShorts Film Festival
• Nashville Film Festival
• Bend Film Festival
• Mill Valley Film Festival
• Sidewalk Film Festival
• deadCenter Film Festival
• Ouray International Film Festival
• Cinema Columbus
• AfterImage Film Festival
• Coast Film Festival