Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

For over 30 years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer, was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.

Through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, the film examines Rogers' philosophy of using television to teach children about empathy, kindness, and acceptance, while also highlighting his personal struggles, such as self-doubt. The documentary also uses archival footage to show his impact, including his work to advocate for public television.