Joybubbles

Driven by a desire for connection and a knack for telecommunications, Josef Carl Engressia Jr. – who legally changed his name to Joybubbles – discovers he can disrupt the global phone network and make free calls by whistling a certain frequency. As one of the original ‘phone phreaks’ (among notable peers like Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak), Joybubbles played a crucial role in founding this fascinating subculture. Produced by Sarah Winshall (I Saw the TV Glow, SFF 2024), Rachael J. Morrison’s marvellously entertaining debut doc follows Joybubbles’ unforgettable journey, from his challenging childhood to becoming a world-leading phone hacker, while pursuing his dream of independent living.

Please note: The screenings of Joybubbles and Sarsaparilla on June 10 and June 13 will be presented with Open Audio Description. This means an audio describer will provide spoken descriptions of the visual elements on screen, played aloud for the entire audience.