THIS FILM HAS 100% ON ROTTEN TOMATOES and premiered at SXSW in 2019 

Set in the world of alternative comedy in New York, documentary feature IT STARTED AS A JOKE explores the scene’s origins through the lens of EUGENE MIRMAN, who’s ironic/satirical (joke) festival ran for 10 years in Brooklyn and became a much beloved staple of the comedy community. 

At its heart, it’s a human story about the warmth of the comedy community and the thin line between tragedy and comedy. 

“A fantastic film that is both incredibly funny and unexpectedly devastating”
— THE DAILY BEAST

“The essential love letter to the alternative comedy generation”
—DEN OF GEEK

Directed by Julie Smith Clem and Ken Druckerman

Producers: Michael Showalter, Olivia Wingate, Jordana Mollick, Eugene Mirman, Julie Smith Clem, Ken Druckerman