Top 10 Documentaries on Open Source

Description: While not exclusively about open source, this documentary covers the lives of hacktivists, many of whom are deeply involved in open source communities. It explores the ethics of hacking, freedom of information, and the role of open source in digital activism.

Fact: The film features interviews with prominent hacktivists like Andrew 'Weev' Auernheimer and Barrett Brown.

Description: This documentary explores the history of the open-source movement, focusing on the development of Linux and the GNU Project. It features interviews with key figures like Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds, providing insights into the philosophy and motivations behind open source.

Fact: The film was produced by J.T.S. Moore, who also directed it. It was one of the first documentaries to delve into the open-source community.

Description: This documentary focuses on the hacktivist group Anonymous, which often uses open source tools and ideologies in their operations. It provides a look into the motivations and methods of digital activism.

Fact: The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This film follows the story of Adrian Lamo, a hacker who later became an advocate for open source and ethical hacking. It delves into the hacker culture, which often overlaps with open source communities.

Fact: The film includes interviews with Lamo and other notable figures in the hacking community.

Description: While not directly about open source, this film explores the ethos of free information and the legal battles faced by The Pirate Bay, which resonates with open source principles of accessibility and sharing.

Fact: The film was directed by Simon Klose, who followed the founders of The Pirate Bay for three years.

Description: Aaron Swartz was a key figure in the open source and internet freedom movements. This documentary chronicles his life, his contributions to open source projects like RSS and Creative Commons, and his tragic end.

Fact: The film was directed by Brian Knappenberger and includes interviews with Swartz's family, friends, and colleagues.

Description: "The Code" examines the battle between open source software and proprietary software, focusing on the legal and ethical issues surrounding software patents and copyrights. It provides a balanced view of the debate through interviews with both open source advocates and industry leaders.

Fact: The film was screened at several film festivals and was praised for its in-depth analysis of the software industry's legal landscape.

Description: This documentary provides an inside look at Netscape's open-source project, Mozilla, during the critical period when Netscape decided to release their source code to the public. It captures the excitement and tension of this pivotal moment in open source history.

Fact: The film was shot over a period of 18 months, giving viewers a real-time experience of the project's development.

Description: This documentary provides an overview of the free software movement, highlighting its philosophy, key figures like Richard Stallman, and its impact on the software industry.

Fact: The film was produced by the Free Software Foundation, which is a key organization in promoting free software.

Description: This documentary traces the evolution of the open source movement from its early days to its current status as a major force in software development. It features interviews with developers, users, and industry experts.

Fact: The film was produced by the Open Source Initiative, an organization dedicated to promoting open source software.