Los Angeles, California, USA: Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir has achieved a significant milestone by earning two Academy Award nominations at the 98th Oscars, announced on January 22, 2026. The recognition marks a rare accomplishment in documentary cinema and a defining moment in her career.

Gandbhir received a nomination for Best Documentary Feature for The Perfect Neighbor, which she directed, and another for Best Documentary Short Film for The Devil Is Busy, co-directed with Christalyn Hampton. Industry observers note that she is the first Indian woman to secure two Oscar nominations in the same year.

The Perfect Neighbor explores racial tensions within a U.S. community, focusing on a fatal shooting and the broader themes of race, power, and justice. The documentary has drawn critical attention for its compelling narrative and its unflinching examination of social divisions.

Meanwhile, The Devil Is Busy earned its place in the documentary short category, further highlighting Gandbhir’s versatility and strength in nonfiction storytelling across different formats and lengths.

An established voice in documentary filmmaking, Gandbhir has previously received multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards. Her earlier works include I Am Evidence, which examined the backlog of untested rape kits in the United States, and Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power, a historical account of grassroots Black political organizing.

The dual nominations place Gandbhir among a select group of filmmakers recognized in multiple documentary categories in a single year, while also underscoring the growing influence of Indian-American creators in global nonfiction cinema.