Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Invited
Fred Rogers transformed children’s television with Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister who believed that love was the pathway to personal growth and development. With his groundbreaking show, he provided a space for intimate and straightforward exchange. In his gentle discussions with young guests, listening became a revolutionary act; he acknowledged the fears, worries, and hardships of growing up. Through a cast of puppets, he also managed to broach topics like disability and race, offering families the tools to speak frankly about the world around them. Morgan Neville’s stunning film reveals the origins of the show, the ways it connected to current events, and its significant impact on the lives of children, and adults, across the country. Interviews with family, friends, and colleagues reveal that Rogers was indeed a visionary, but he was also human, and he faced his own share of shortcomings and self-doubt. In his life, Rogers contributed singular authentic exchange both on and off the air. ST
Director
Morgan Neville
Producers
Caryn Capotosto, Nicholas Ma, Morgan Neville
Executive Producers
David J. Cornfield, Linda A. Cornfield, David Stone, David Boies III, Rick Rosenthal, Nancy Stephens, John Boccardo, Derek Esplin, Andrew Van Beuren, Jenifer Westphal, Dan Cogan, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully
Editors
Jeff Malmberg, Aaron Wickenden
Cinematographer
Graham Willoughby
Release Year
2017
Festival Year
2018, 2019
Country
United States
Run Time
93 minutes