IFC Films acquires US rights to “Blackberry”, the story of the world’s first smartphone.

IFC Films announced today it is acquiring all U.S. rights to BlackBerry, directed by Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche). The film tells the story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone, and stars an ensemble cast including Jay Baruchel (This Is The End, Knocked Up), Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, A.P. Bio), Cary Elwes (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Saw), Saul Rubinek (Hunters, True Romance), Rich Sommer (The Devil Wears Prada, Mad Men), Martin Donovan (Tenet, Big Little Lies), Michael Ironside (Total Recall, Scanners) and Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche). IFC Films will release the film in 2023.

The film is produced by Niv Fichman (Enemy, The Red Violin), Matthew Miller (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche), Fraser Ash (Possessor, Closet Monster) and Kevin Krikst (Possessor, Closet Monster). BlackBerry is a Rhombus Media and Zapruder Films production, with the participation of Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates, in association with CBC Films, IPR.VC; and XYZ Films, who are also executive producing.

Johnson and Miller adapted the screenplay from the #1 National Bestseller “Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry” written by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff.

Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films said, “Years before the iPhone hit the market, there was a piece of technology that was so ubiquitous that even Obama couldn’t live without it. BlackBerry will give audiences front row seats to the launch of a new age through the eyes of the rowdy tech pioneers that started it all. We’re thrilled to get on this wild ride with Matt Johnson and give the story of the first smartphone the platform it deserves.”

“The origin of IFC Films is a dead-ringer match for the wild-west beginnings of the first smartphone. Both exploded from 90s outsider culture with designs on changing the world. It’s a perfect home for BlackBerry and I can’t wait for them to present this insane story to the world.” said director Matt Johnson.

The deal for domestic rights was brokered by Nate Bolotin and Pip Ngo for XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers and by SVP of Acquisitions and Productions, Scott Shooman on behalf of IFC Films. XYZ Films, co-financed the film and will handle international rights at TIFF. Elevation Pictures will distribute the film in Canada.