HOT DOCS TO OPEN WITH INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE OF THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY: THE STORY OF AARON SWARTZ
AN INSPIRING PORTRAIT OF AN INTERNET VISIONARY AND ACTIVIST
Toronto, March 18, 2014 – Hot Docs is excited to announce that the international premiere of director Brian Knappenberger’s THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY: THE STORY OF AARON SWARTZ (USA, 2014, 105 min) will open the 2014 Festival with an industry-only screening on Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. The film will have a public opening night screening immediately following at 10 p.m. Director Brian Knappenberger will be in attendance at both screenings at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, to introduce the film and participate in post-screening audience discussions.
“The Internet’s Own Boy is an incredible portrait of one of the greatest and most promising minds of a generation, Aaron Swartz,” says Hot Docs director of programming Charlotte Cook. “Director Brian Knappenberger has told Aaron’s story in a very beautiful and inspiring way, and we are honoured to be able to share it with not only our audience, but hopefully to help continue to share it with the world.”
As a teenager, Aaron Swartz took the Internet community by storm with capabilities, intellect and understanding that matched its most seasoned members. He helped found or develop countless household-name technologies and companies in the time it takes most people finish college. Aaron was a pioneer in Internet activism, and stood at the forefront of the SOPA and PIPA victories. He looked towards a limitless future—but his life took a dramatic turn. In 2011 and 2012, he was indicted by prosecutors who charged him with a staggering number of felonies. Aaron found himself facing 35 years in prison, and at the age of 26 was found dead in his apartment, from an apparent suicide. As we hear from those closest to Aaron, this incredibly inspirational and moving story shows how one of the most promising minds of a generation found himself staring down a government prosecuting him under the very laws he was fighting against.
THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY: THE STORY OF AARON SWARTZ is director Brian Knappenberger’s fourth feature documentary. His third feature documentary, WE ARE LEGION: THE STORY OF THE HACKTIVISTS was an official selection of the 2012 Hot Docs Festival. THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY: THE STORY OF AARON SWARTZ had its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.
In addition to its opening night screenings, the film will also screen on Friday, April 25, at 2 p.m., and Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series.
Hot Docs Opening Night is generously sponsored by NBC Universal.
Hot Docs (www.hotdocs.ca), North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, will present its 21st annual edition from April 24–May 4, 2014. An outstanding selection of 197 documentaries from Canada and around the world will be presented to Toronto audiences and international delegates. Hot Docs will also mount a full roster of conference sessions and market events and services for documentary practitioners, including the renowned Hot Docs Forum, Hot Docs Deal Maker and The Doc Shop. In partnership with Blue Ice Group, Hot Docs operates the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood.
The Hot Docs documentary Box Office, located at 2 Bloor Street West, Cumberland Terrace–Lower Level is open for ticket, package, and pass sales and ticket redemption. Tickets can be purchased in person, online at www.hotdocs.ca, or by phone at 416.637.5150. Single tickets to screenings are $14.60 each, and $19.25 each to special events. Late night screenings (after 11:00 p.m.) are $6.20 each or $12.40 for an All-You-Can-Eat Late-Night Pass (one ticket to each of the nine screenings). A Festival 10-Pack is $125, a Festival 20-Pack is $215, and a Bloor Cinema All Access Pass is $130. Hot Docs offers free same day tickets for all screenings before 5:00 p.m. to seniors (60+) and students with valid photo I.D. at the venue box offices (subject to availability).
FILM STILLS AVAILABLE
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Hot Docs is proud to include Scotiabank as its Presenting Platinum Partner, and Rogers Group of Funds, Telefilm Canada and documentary as its Presenting Partners.
Media Contact:
Virginia Kelly
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Phone: 416-466-9799
