Constructed from a playful mosaic of archival film, home-recorded voiceover, and expressive animation, Joybubbles resurrects the singular legacy of Joe Engressia, history’s most unlikely hacker. Born blind and negotiating a lonely, transient childhood, Joe discovered the telephone wasn’t just a household device—it was a lifeline to a world that otherwise felt unwelcoming and inaccessible. By mastering the art of whistling a precise frequency, he bypassed analog networks and subverted the corporate phone monopoly to score free calls, finding purpose, community, and notoriety in the process. Director Rachael Morrison honors his tenacious, mischievous spirit, poignantly capturing Joe’s transition into “Joybubbles,” a man who eventually chose to live as a perpetual five-year-old to reclaim a stolen past. The result is a moving, spirited portrait of an outsider who refused to be sidelined, disregarding the world’s expectations to build a life of radical freedom and joy. PB

Q&A following screening