DETOX aims to create urgent dialogue on digital wellness, helps parents address and prevent addiction symptoms
Los Angeles, CA – November 16, 2021 — Documentary filmmaker, David Donnelly, today announced a new film to address the increasingly alarming issue of technology addiction, entitled DETOX. The feature-length documentary explores how pervasive technology use is impacting our daily health and wellness, and offers solutions for reducing the harmful effects of tech reliance.
In March 2020, a screening series at The Kennedy Center for Donnelly’s previous documentary, FORTE, was canceled as the nation began closing doors for COVID-19 safety precautions. Donnelly, whose livelihood is making international films, was grounded, and while quarantined in London, began to explore the disturbing proliferation of technology addiction symptoms. His fascination and research became the basis for DETOX.
“The combination of global wifi and ubiquitous smartphone usage is influencing the behavior of billions of people, and yet we know so little about how it’s actually impacting us as humans,” said Donnelly. Since he began making the film, countless events have unfolded that spotlight the issue, including Facebook’s recent whistleblower news.
The film features shocking new insights on how tech devices are affecting our physical and mental health from digital sociologist and author, Dr. Julie Albright; bestselling author Robert Greene; the co-founder of one of the nation’s first technology addiction centers Dr. Hilarie Cash; and more. These experts identify the roots of the problem and provide easy, applicable solutions for healthier relationships with technology–especially for parents who are routinely monitoring phone and technology exposure for their families.
The filmmakers are producing the film independently before approaching distributors to maintain the focus and integrity of the message. An Indiegogo campaign is now live to help the film launch essential conversation on digital wellness–supporters can choose virtual premiere tickets, an accompanying DETOX book featuring bonus interview content, exclusive NFTs, and sponsored screenings.
About David Donnelly
Donnelly is an award-winning American filmmaker, writer, speaker, artist, and entrepreneur. He has written, directed, and produced music videos, video installation art, short films, and feature-length documentaries, which have been featured in Forbes, Playbill, and NPR. He has directed three films, Forte, Nordic Pulse, and Maestro, and is currently working on his fourth, Detox. Donnelly’s educational films are used in thousands of classrooms across North America.