EXCLUSIVE: Obscured Releasing has acquired North American distribution rights to The Drug in Our Pocket, a documentary by Anne Sundberg about the pernicious effects on young people of constant smartphone use.

The feature produced by Beth Kojima and Anne Sundberg holds its world premiere Saturday at the Hamptons International Film Festival in New York, and heads from there to the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis and the Newport Beach Film Festival in Southern California. The Drug in Our Pocket is expected to get an Oscar-qualifying run this fall, followed by a limited theatrical release in early 2027.

“The Drug in Our Pocket examines how smartphones, designed to connect us, have radically reshaped childhood, adolescence, and mental health,” notes a release. “Through intimate conversations with young people, parents, and leading experts, the film reveals a generation that is thoughtful, articulate, and increasingly aware of how digital environments shape their attention, emotions, and sense of self.”

The documentary premieres as dozens of states have banned or restricted the use of cell phones in schools, recognizing the impact of the devices on student mental health. Similarly, several countries including Australia, France, Greece, Malaysia, and Brazil have moved to ban or restrict teen access to social media.

“With The Drug in Our Pocket, director Anne Sundberg brilliantly weaves psychological expert interviews, behind-the-scenes stories from tech whistleblowers, and deeply personal accounts of teenagers and parents exposing how big tech and our government have failed us,” said RJ Millard and Bill Guentzler of Obscured Releasing. “This is a necessary call to action highlighting the impact of social media and technology which offers us the steps we can take to reclaim our power, and attention.”

Sundberg’s credits includes four films co-directed with Ricki Stern: The Trials of Darryl Hunt, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, The Devil Came on Horseback, and Reversing Roe.

In a statement, Sundberg said, “RJ and Bill are brilliant at connecting films to audiences. They understood that for us, The Drug in Our Pocket isn’t just about documenting young people’s experiences growing up online. They share our vision that this film can start a larger movement asking us all to pay attention to our attention. We are thrilled to be working with them on this release.”

The acquisition deal was negotiated by Anne Sundberg and Beth Kojima on behalf of the production and Bill Guentzler and RJ Millard on behalf of Obscured Releasing.

The Drug in Our Pocket is directed by Anne Sundberg and produced by Beth Kojima and Anne Sundberg. Kojima, Sundberg, and John Wayland wrote the film. Wayland edited the documentary. Timo Elliston and Brian Jones composed the score. Executive producers include Regina K. Scully, Jenna Bush Hager, Crystal McCrary McGuire, Ashley Graham, Lizzie Tisch, and Jonathan Tisch.

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