New HotDocs Film Reminds Us That Mister Rogers Put Kid's Feelings First

Mr. Roger's believed that "the greatest thing we can do is to help somebody know that they're loved and capable of loving." He set out to do this each day on set with his groundbreaking children's show Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood (1968 to 2001). He believed "children have very deep feelings, just the way everybody does" and he nourished and protected these feelings by modelling compassion and kindness, and talking to kids straight-up about topics that most adults would not have known how to position (war, divorce, tragedy).

Morgan Neville's new documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor looks at the life and legacy of Mister Rogers and the shows impact on future generations. The film just had its premiere at the Hot Docs Film Festival and was shortlisted for an audience award.