The free and open internet faces threats from companies propagating walled gardens designed to control your data and the rise of black-box AI systems. To preserve the vitality of the digital commons, individuals must take action to support the principles behind open-source code.
That’s the message from “Code for the People,” a short documentary film funded by Automattic, the company behind WordPress, Tumblr, WooCommerce and other internet tools and services. The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Bao Nguyen, in part tells the story of how CEO Matt Mullenweg founded what became Automattic, a company rooted in the philosophy of open-source software. But it’s also a manifesto about the need to protect the open internet in the face of commercial interests that run counter to that ideal: Essentially, “Code for the People” is a recruitment video urging netizens to take part in the movement.
The New York premiere of “Code for the People” was held July 1 at the Crosby Street Hotel. Following the screening, Variety moderated a conversation in partnership with Automattic Inc. about the film. (Watch the full panel discussion above.) “Code for the People: The Human Story of the Open Web,” which runs about 20 minutes, will be released for free online July 9 at codeforthepeople.com.
