Gravitas Ventures has picked up distribution rights to acclaimed documentary It Started as a Joke.
Produced by Red Arrow Studios company Left/Right in association with Pretty Good Friends and Semi-Formal Productions, the feature documentary will be released on-demand on Friday, April 3.
It Started as a Joke chronicles the decade-long run of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, including the final farewell show. Packed with stars and offering an intimate look at the New York comedy scene, the documentary celebrates Eugene’s unique brand of humor and his role in the alternative comedy movement. Heartfelt and hilarious, the doc offers a bittersweet goodbye to an era and reminds us of the healing properties of comedy – even in the most challenging of life’s circumstances.
The film includes interviews with Michael Ian Black, Kristen Schaal, Wyatt Cenac, Ira Glass, John Hodgman, Kumail Nanjiani, Reggie Watts and Michael Showalter, along with performances by Daniel Kitson, Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Glaser, Mike Birbiglia, Bobcat Goldthwait and more.
It Started as a Joke made its world premiere to wide acclaim at SXSW last March. The doc went on to receive continued praise while screening at festivals across the country including BAMCinemaFest, Boston Independent Film Festival, SF Sketchfest, Nantucket Film Festival and many more.
The film is directed by Julie Smith Clem and Ken Druckerman. Executive Producers are Michael Showalter, Jordana Mollick, Eugene Mirman, Julie Smith Clem, Olivia Wingate, Ken Druckerman, and Banks Tarver. It Started as a Joke is a Left/Right production in association with Pretty Good Friends and Semi-Formal Productions.
It Started as a Joke is now available for pre-order on iTunes, and will be available for viewing on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNow, Sony, Microsoft Xbox starting Friday, April 3.