The Internet's Own Boy

Account of the short but ridiculously productive life of open-source activist Aaron Swartz.

Aaron Swartz co-founded Reddit, helped develop the RSS feed and Creative Commons, and campaigned energetically for open data. In 2013 he committed suicide, facing 35 years in prison for illegally sharing academic papers. This illuminating and enraging documentary provides the lowdown on Swartz’s short but hugely productive life, while also dissecting the legal and technological issues thrown up by his trial.

The film has been selected for Flatpack by Impact Hub Birmingham, a new co-working and events space which launches in Digbeth this month. Following the screening, Impact Hub Birmingham will host a discussion on the challenges and opportunities the open source economy creates over food and drinks.