Sundance-Winning Documentary Unravels Shocking Neighbor Killing

In October 2025, the documentary film "The Perfect Neighbor" won the Sundance 2025 U.S. Documentary Directing Award, earning six nominations for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards and a spot on the Oscar-predictive DOC NYC Short List. The film's director, Geeta Gandbhir, had a personal connection to the tragic case, as the 2023 murder of Ocala, Florida resident Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens by her white neighbor, Susan Lorincz, deeply affected Gandbhir's family.

Gandbhir's innovative approach to the film involved meticulously piecing together a timeline from the vast trove of police cam footage, detective interviews, and 911 calls related to the case. This allowed her to create an immersive, first-person perspective that reveals the complex dynamics within the multi-racial Florida community, as well as the systemic failures that led to Owens' death. The film avoids simplistic labels, instead exploring the nuances of the situation and the ways in which Susan Lorincz weaponized her race and privilege against her neighbors.

"The Perfect Neighbor" has been praised for its powerful and thought-provoking exploration of a tragic event that has become all too common in the United States. By centering the voices and experiences of the community, the film offers a unique and compelling perspective on the ongoing issues of gun violence, racial bias, and the shortcomings of the criminal justice system.