Indian-origin director Geeta Gandbhir secures two Oscar nominations
The subject of her films are often bold and an unflinching look at systemic injustices. Described as “a devastating and aesthetically bold documentary” by Sundance Collab,
When the upcoming 98th Academy Awards’ nominees were announced on Thursday, filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir achieved the rare feat of securing two nominations — one for directing documentary feature ‘The Perfect Neighbor’, and another for documentary short ‘The Devil Is Busy’, which she co-directed with Christalyn Hampton.
In her career spanning nearly two decades, this is the first time the 55-year-old filmmaker of Indian origin has been nominated for the Oscars. Considered to be a prominent voice in non-fiction cinema, Geeta began her career in editing, working with Spike Lee and Sam Pollard. Winner of two Emmy Awards for editing for non-fiction programming — ‘When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts’ (2007) and ‘By the People: The Election of Barack Obama’ (2010) — Geeta has subsequently directed several talked-about documentaries such as ‘Prison Dogs’ (co-directed with Perri Peltz) and ‘A Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers’ (with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy).
In the 60s, her father Sharad Gandbhir emigrated from India to the US to study chemical engineering and he was later joined by her mother Lalita. Geeta, who grew up in Boston, studied visual art with a focus on animation at Harvard University. There, she was introduced to Lee and Pollard. Geeta’s sister Una S Gandbhir was appointed to the Anchorage Superior Court, Alaska, in 2018, and brother Ashwin Gandbhir is a filmmaker and editor.
The subject of her films are often bold and an unflinching look at systemic injustices. Described as “a devastating and aesthetically bold documentary” by Sundance Collab, ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ examines the killing of a 35-year-old Black woman named Ajike Owens. When she knocked on her neighbor’s door in Ocala, Florida, she was shot through the door by her neighbour, a 58-year-old white woman named Susan Lorincz.
The documentary, which is streaming on Netflix, mostly uses police bodycam footage, tracking events from the first time Lorincz called the police to complain about Owens and her children over a year prior up until her brutal killing. Because of Florida’s “stand your ground laws”, which allows a resident to exert deadly force against another individual if they believe doing so will prevent bodily harm, Lorincz felt justified in shooting Owens. This also exposes problematic gun regulations of America.
The ‘Devil is Busy’, an HBO original documentary short that adopts the cinéma vérité style, takes viewers on a daylong journey with Tracii, the determined head of security at a women’s healthcare clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, as she works to ensure the safety of women seeking abortions in the face of new restrictions and persistent protests. “The film follows the routines of the staff who continue to provide a range of medical services, including preventive screenings, checkups, and reproductive healthcare, in an environment where clinics often face daily threats of danger,” says its synopsis.
In an interview published on the Sundance Film Festival website regarding ‘The Perfect Neighbor’, Geeta said: “Filmmaking is one of the most unique and technologically advanced art forms for humans to share stories… It’s important to address the inequity in the system to make it a more equitable and accessible medium, but it’s a powerful tool to reach people worldwide and build cultural bridges and a shared human narrative.”
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
