Winner of the Directing Award: US Documentary

A seemingly minor neighborhood dispute in Florida escalates into deadly violence. Police bodycam footage and investigative interviews expose the consequences of Florida’s “stand your ground” laws.

In a normal American neighborhood with families living their lives and kids playing with each other, one woman was quick to see any conflict as an attack that required police attention. The annoying behaviors of a local “Karen” are slowly revealed to be something darker and appalling. Director Geeta Gandbhir tells this uniquely American story through the artful presentation of real-life footage that allows the circumstances to speak for themselves with terrifying clarity. Yet the question remains: Will justice be done, or will the legal system built to protect one class of people from another step in and excuse the inexcusable? The Perfect Neighbor is a remarkable exploration of one horrific event that has profound implications for the challenge of living in community with the monsters who might live next door.—Sudeep Sharma

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 30–February 2) and credentialed press and industry (January 29–February 2). 

This film contains mature content, and is not recommended for audiences 17 and under.