BlackBerry (film)

BlackBerry
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMatt Johnson
Screenplay by
Based on
Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry
by
  • Jacquie McNish
  • Sean Silcoff
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJared Raab
Edited byCurt Lobb
Music byJay McCarrol
Production
companies
Distributed byElevation Pictures
Release dates
  • February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17) (Berlin)
  • May 12, 2023 (2023-05-12) (Canada)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million
Box office$3 million

BlackBerry is a 2023 Canadian biographical comedy-drama film directed by Matt Johnson from a screenplay by Johnson and producer Matthew Miller. It was loosely adapted from Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff's book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. The film is a dramatized account of the history of the BlackBerry line of mobile phones created by co-founders Douglas Fregin and Mike Lazaridis, and investor Jim Balsillie. Lazaridis is portrayed by Jay Baruchel, Balsillie is portrayed by Glenn Howerton, and Fregin is portrayed by Johnson. The film also stars Rich Sommer, Michael Ironside, Martin Donovan, Michelle Giroux, SungWon Cho, Mark Critch, Saul Rubinek, and Cary Elwes in supporting roles.

BlackBerry premiered in competition at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 17, 2023. The film was released in Canada on May 12, 2023, to positive reviews. In late 2023, Blackberry was re-released as a three-part miniseries with additional footage. The film is the most nominated film in the history of the Canadian Screen Awards, with 17 nominations. It won 14 awards, including Best Motion Picture.