Smudge Films is a collection of independent filmmakers working together to make personal films with unique worldviews.
Founded in 2016 by producer Sarah Winshall, our films have played all over the place, including Sundance, New Directors/New Films, SXSW, AFI Fest, SF Film, SIFF, CPH:DOX, Outfest, Rotterdam, BAM Cinemafest, MoMA, on the Criterion Channel, as Vimeo Staff Picks, and more!
We make shorts, features, docs, experimental videos, music videos, commercials, web series, and TV shows. We are based in Los Angeles.
Joybubbles
in production Joybubbles is a feature documentary about a genius named Joybubbles (née Joe Engressia, 1949-2007) who discovered how to hack into the telephone network by whistling a magic tone. He was blind and started experimenting with the phone as a lonely kid trying to connect with people, eventually becoming one of technology’s greatest pioneers. His story takes an unusual turn when he declares himself to be five years old forever, and legally changes his name to Joybubbles. To tell this stranger-than-fiction story, the film weaves together traditional interviews, audio recordings, and archival footage, and integrates open audio description and captions for a radically accessible cinematic experience.
Gotham Doc Lab 2022
Film Independent FastTrack 2021
DIRECTOR Rachael Morrison PRODUCERS Sarah Winshall, Will Butler EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Rhianon Jones, Tristan Scott-Behrends EDITORS Patrick Lawence, Matt Yoka