The Perfect Neighbor Dominates Critics Choice Documentary Awards with Five Wins

Netflix‘s true crime documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, was the big winner at the 10th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The ceremony took place on Sunday night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The film captured a total of five awards.

This sweep included the night’s top honor for Best Documentary Feature. According to the Critics Choice Association, the wins highlight the powerful storytelling in non-fiction filmmaking today.

Gandbhir’s Directorial Triumph and Other Major Winners

Director Geeta Gandbhir won Best Director for her work on The Perfect Neighbor. The film also secured awards for Best Editing, Best Archival Documentary, and Best True Crime Documentary. This multi-category dominance is rare for the competitive event.

Other notable winners included Mr. Scorsese from Apple TV, which won two awards. National Geographic’s Ocean With David Attenborough and Neon’s Orwell: 2+2=5 also each took home two statues. The Best First Documentary Feature award went to My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay on HBO Max.

Honoring Legends and the State of Documentary Film

The event also served to honor documentary legends. Ken Burns received the Critics Choice Impact Award from presenter Christine Baranski. Filmmaking duo Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady were given the Pennebaker Award.

Christopher Campbell of the Critics Choice Association praised the genre’s vitality. He stated that this year’s filmmakers show how powerful documentaries are in shaping our worldview. The awards honor documentaries released in theaters, on TV, and on digital platforms.

The Critics Choice Documentary Awards have cemented The Perfect Neighbor as a landmark film. Its five-award haul signals a strong contender for the upcoming awards season. This true crime story has clearly resonated with critics and audiences alike.

Thought you’d like to know

What other films won multiple awards?

Besides *The Perfect Neighbor*, both *Mr. Scorsese* and *Ocean With David Attenborough* won two awards each. *Orwell: 2+2=5* also secured two wins, including Best Score.

Who hosted the awards ceremony?

The event was hosted by actor and comedian Aasif Mandvi. Presenters included notable figures like Mariska Hargitay, Ben Stiller, and Questlove.

What special awards were presented?

Ken Burns was honored with the Critics Choice Impact Award. Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady received the Pennebaker Award for their lifetime contributions to documentary filmmaking.

Where can I watch the winning documentaries?

The winning films are available on various platforms. *The Perfect Neighbor* is on Netflix, while *Mr. Scorsese* streams on Apple TV+.

How are the nominees and winners determined?

Nominations and winners are determined by voting from qualified members of the Critics Choice Association. These members have specific expertise in the documentary field.