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U.S. Documentary Competition

Joybubbles

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United States202679 minEnglish
Joybubbles

Joybubbles discovers he can manipulate the telephone system by whistling a magic tone. Born blind and yearning for connection, his early obsession unwittingly lays the groundwork for a subculture that shapes the future of hacking and technology.

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Joybubbles discovers he can manipulate the telephone system by whistling a magic tone. Born blind and yearning for connection, his early obsession unwittingly lays the groundwork for a subculture that shapes the future of hacking and technology.

A film as uplifting as its protagonist’s chosen name, Joybubbles recounts the story of Joe Engressia, a lonely boy who turned his love for the telephone into a way to connect with the world. One of the first “phone phreaks,” protohackers who used technology to subvert the monopoly of the global telecom network, he defied a paternalistic, ableist society to fulfill his dreams of living an independent life — and insisted on having fun along the way. From operating the Zzzzyzzerrific Funline and adopting the name Joybubbles, to renouncing adulthood’s responsibilities and declaring himself a perpetual 5-year-old, he reclaimed a childhood haunted by trauma to spread joyful wonder to anyone willing to listen. Rachael J. Morrison brings that same sense of delight to her feature debut, creatively employing playful archival material to illustrate Joybubbles’ unforgettable story, told in his own voice. — BT

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).

U.S. Documentary CompetitionAll FeaturesBiographyFirst-Time FeaturesScience & TechnologyNonfictionAudio DescriptionClosed CaptionOpen Audio DescriptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Screenings

in persononline
  • Jan 26, 6:00 PM MST
    Premiere

    The Yarrow Theatre

    Park City

  • Jan 27, 9:00 AM MST
    Screening

    Megaplex Redstone - 1

    Park City

  • Jan 29, 12:30 PM MST
    Screening

    Holiday Village Cinemas - 1

    Park City

    Open CaptionOpen Caption

    Open Audio DescriptionOpen Audio Description

  • Jan 30, 9:30 PM MST
    Screening

    Broadway Centre Cinemas - 6

    Salt Lake City

    Open CaptionOpen Caption

    Open Audio DescriptionOpen Audio Description

  • Jan 31, 2:45 PM MST
    Screening

    Library Center Theatre

    Park City

  • Jan 29, 3:00 PM GMT -
    Feb 2, 6:55 AM GMT
    Online Screening

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Rachael J. Morrison

  • Producer

    Sarah Winshall

  • Co-Producers

    Annie Marr

    Will Butler

  • Editors

    Bradford Thomason

    Patrick Lawrence

  • Executive Producers

    Rhianon Jones

    Tristan Scott-Behrends

  • Music Supervisor

    Taylor Rowley

  • Composer

    Will Epstein

  • Cinematography

    Michael Belcher

    Ashley Connor

    Helki Frantzen

    James P. Gannon

    Hiroshi Hara

  • Audio Description Writer

    Cheryl Green

  • Audio Description Narrator

    Thomas Reid

  • Motion Graphics & Animation

    Ali Clark

    Arthur Jones

  • Company

    Submarine

  • Contact

    Matt Burke

    matt@submarine.com

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Rachael J. Morrison

  • Instagram

Rachael J. Morrison is a documentary filmmaker and archival producer. Her short documentary Elvers premiered at the 2019 Camden International Film Festival and is featured online as part of The Atlantic Selects. She has worked as an archival producer on documentary series and feature films for over a decade.

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