Paramount Global Content Distribution has acquired all international rights to "BlackBerry," with the exeception of select territories. The film is scheduled to have its World Premier in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. IFC Films will release the film in 2023 in the U.S.
The deal for international rights for "Blackberry" was brokered by Nate Bolotin and Pip Ngo for XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers and by Dan Cohen for Paramount Global Content Distribution. XYZ Films, co-financed the film and Elevation Pictures has committed to fulfilling distribution tasks distribute the film in Canada. Additional territories sold include Falcon Films for the Middle East, NonStop Entertainment for Scandinavia, Pasatiempo Pictures for CIS and Skeye for airlines.
The film is produced by Niv Fichman, Matthew Miller, Fraser Ash and Kevin Krikst. 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. "Blackberry" is directed by Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche). 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. XYZ Films and Rhombus Media also confirmed plans to collaborate on "Seven Veils," starring Amanda Seyfried and directed by Atom Egoyan, currently in production.
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, Glenn Howerton, Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek, Rich Sommer, Martin Donovan, Michael Ironside and Matt Johnson.