Stranger at the Gate

Joshua Seftel's 2022 documentary short follows Richard Mac McKinney, a Marine veteran from Indiana who once planned an attack on the Islamic Center of Muncie. His relationship with Afghan refugee Bibi Bahrami and her family helped change his view of the mosque and its congregation.

Yes, the film was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023. It was one of the year's short documentaries focused on personal transformation and reconciliation.

Bibi Bahrami is an Afghan refugee and a member of the Muncie Muslim community who welcomed McKinney despite his hostile intentions. Her friendship with him is central to the film's account of how personal contact disrupted his fear and hatred.

The documentary runs for about 30 minutes, making it suitable for a focused classroom, festival, or discussion screening. Its short running time covers both McKinney's military-related anger and the later friendship that redirected his life.