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Director Morgan Neville discusses Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

The life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host, Fred Rogers is explored in Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary feature, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

In the film, Neville pays tribute to the man who was welcomed daily into homes across America via his beloved program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Focusing on Rogers’ radically kind ideas and his beliefs about the importance of protecting childhood, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? reveals that he was much more than a soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing children's television program host, but rather a pioneer in how we should best speak to young children about important matters and how television could be used as a positive force in our society.

Following the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Committee’s Documentary Series screening in New York on June 8, Neville discussed the making of the film in a conversation moderated by Director Liz Garbus (A Dangerous Son).

Neville’s other works include the documentary features Keith Richards: Under the Influence, The Music of Strangers, Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal, Sidney Poitier: The Defiant One, The Hustons: Hollywood's Maverick Dynasty, Ray Charles: The Last Blues Man, Johnny Cash’s America, and Troubadours; and episodes of the television series Ugly Delicious, Abstract: The Art of Design, Biography, Independent Lens, Great Performances, and American Masters. His 2014 film 20 Feet from Stardom won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, Features.

Neville has been a DGA member since 2003.

Pictures

Event photos by Marcie Revens - Print courtesy of Focus Features

Director Morgan Neville speaks about the making of his new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, following the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Documentary Series screening in New York.
Fred Rogers in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Director Morgan Neville speaks about the making of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? with Director Liz Garbus (moderator) following the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Documentary Series screening in New York.
David Newell and Fred Rogers in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Director Liz Garbus (moderator) asks Director Morgan Neville a question about the making of Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.
Fred Rogers in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
The DGA New York Theater audience hears Directors Morgan Neville and Liz Garbus (moderator) discuss the making of Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.
Fred Rogers and François Scarborough Clemmons in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
A member of the DGA New York Theater audience asks Director Morgan Neville a question about his new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.
Fred Rogers is greeted by a young fan in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Directors Morgan Neville and Liz Garbus (moderator) pose for a photo following the New York Special Projects Documentary Series screening of Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.
Fred Rogers appears before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications on May 1, 1969, to defend funding for PBS in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Director Morgan Neville chats with members of the audience following DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Documentary Series screening of his new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.

Calendar

6/4/2025 - 6/10/2025

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Morgan Neville’s 20 Feet from Stardom
A Documentary Series Screening: