Sony Backs Hackathon Inspired by Tech Thriller ‘Searching’

After a positive limited opening, cyber-thriller Searching expands nationwide this weekend buoyed by enthusiastic reviews about the film’s clever use of technology as well as the halo effect of Crazy Rich Asians — another film featuring Asian-American leads.

To push the film to its core audience as well as raise awareness about some of the tech-related issues in the film, Sony Pictures’ is backing a hackathon tied to the Disrupt SF festival, which takes place Sept. 5-7 in San Francisco. The goal of the hackathon is to create Google Chrome Extensions that will help parents and children be more mindful of their digital lives and the winners will receive a $9,000 cash prize. 

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Directed by first-time filmmaker and former Google commercials director Aneesh Chaganty, Searching stars John Cho and newcomer Michelle La. The film tells the story of a father’s frantic attempts to locate his missing daughter by looking through her various social media accounts and tracing her digital footprint. The entire film takes place inside everyday tech screens for social media, email, online banking and more. 

The film launched in nine theaters, with a screen average north of $42,000, the best of the weekend. Searching is set to expand nationwide next weekend and has been boosted by social media support from the cast and crew of Crazy Rich Asians, with director Jon M. Chu and star Henry Golding each buying out a theater screening Searching on its opening weekend. 

OH MY GOD. The star and director of #CrazyRichAsians are buying out a theater this weekend for #SearchingMovie. Thank you guys. This is super super super awesome. #AsianAugust https://t.co/2hHgEusDOx

— Aneesh Chaganty (@aneeshchaganty) August 22, 2018

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