At the 78th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards, I had the opportunity to speak with Geeta Gandbhir about The Perfect Neighbor — a documentary rooted in personal loss and driven by the pursuit of justice.
What many may not realize is that the film did not begin as a Netflix production. It was entirely independent.
Ajike Owens, whose story is at the center of the documentary, was a family friend. After her tragic murder, Gandbhir and her family immediately stepped in to support Owens’ mother and children. Recognizing that the case was not receiving national attention, they helped amplify the story — serving as media liaisons to ensure coverage.
Two months later, the family’s attorneys — including Benjamin Crump — shared body camera footage obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Gandbhir, drawing on her background as an editor, laid the footage out chronologically and realized there was the foundation for a film.
With the blessing of Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, the project began.
Produced on a minimal budget alongside Message Pictures, SOB Productions, and Park Pictures, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival — where it won the Directing Award. It was later acquired by Netflix for global distribution, a strategic decision to ensure the widest possible reach.
The film has since earned an Academy Award nomination.
But for Gandbhir, the mission remains clear: to honor Ajike Owens’ name and ensure her story is known.
“She said one day the whole world would know her name,” Gandbhir shared.
Through this film, that promise is being fulfilled.
More than a documentary, The Perfect Neighbor stands as a testament to storytelling as activism — a reminder that cinema can illuminate injustice and push conversations forward.
Watch the interview with Geeta Gandbhir above.
