Highlights:
- Geeta Gandbhir earns two Oscar nominations at the 98th Academy Awards
- Nominated for both documentary short and documentary feature categories
- Films explore reproductive rights and racial justice in the US
- Mentored by acclaimed filmmakers Sam Pollard and Spike Lee
- Known for award-winning, impact-driven documentary storytelling
Geeta Gandbhir is an Indian American filmmaker whose work has consistently examined some of the most pressing social and political issues in the United States. On Thursday, she reached a new career milestone by earning two nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, solidifying her reputation as one of the most influential voices in documentary filmmaking of her generation.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Gandbhir has been nominated in two categories: Best Documentary Short Film for The Devil Is Busy and Best Documentary Feature for The Perfect Neighbor. The dual recognition places her among a small group of filmmakers to be honored twice in the same year, highlighting both her creative range and the urgency of the stories she tells.
Gandbhir co-directed The Devil Is Busy with Christalyn Hampton. The 31-minute documentary follows Tracii, the head of security at a women’s healthcare clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, over the course of a single day. The film captures the tense and emotional reality of providing care amid tighter abortion restrictions, ongoing protests, and heightened security concerns. The documentary has been praised for its intimate perspective and its focus on the often-unseen labor required to protect patients and staff.
In the Best Documentary Feature category, Gandbhir is nominated for The Perfect Neighbor. This Netflix documentary examines the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens, a Black woman killed by her white neighbor, Susan Louise Lorincz, in Ocala, Florida, in June 2023. The film investigates the broader themes of racial bias, gun violence, and the “stand your ground” culture in America. Gandbhir also served as a producer on the project alongside Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu, and Sam Bisbee.
Born in the United States to Indian parents who emigrated in the 1960s, Gandbhir brings a deeply informed and empathetic lens to her work. She was mentored by renowned filmmakers Sam Pollard and Spike Lee, influences that are evident in her commitment to historically grounded, socially conscious storytelling.
Over nearly two decades, Gandbhir has built a distinguished career in documentary filmmaking. She has earned multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards and is known for projects that have sparked national conversations. Her 2017 documentary I Am Evidence exposed systemic failures in processing untested rape kits across the US, while Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power (2022) explored the origins of grassroots political movements in the American South. She also directed the Emmy-winning short Through Our Eyes: Apart in 2022.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Regardless of the outcome, Gandbhir’s historic double nomination marks a defining moment—not only in her career, but also for Indian American representation in documentary filmmaking at the highest level.
