What Big Picture Ranch does

Big Picture Ranch is an independent documentary film studio founded in 2008 and headquartered on a 4.5-acre former avocado orchard in Ojai, Ventura County, California. The studio is operated by husband-and-wife filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell and produces purpose-driven environmental films addressing fossil fuel dependency, soil degradation, climate change, and pollinator decline. Its 13+ title portfolio includes the 'soil trilogy' — Kiss the Ground (2020), Common Ground (2023), and Groundswell (2026) — alongside earlier works such as Fuel (2008 Sundance Audience Award, Academy shortlist), Pump (2014), The Big Fix (2011 Cannes Official Selection), The Earthing Movie (2019), Good Fortune (2017), The Revolution Generation (2021), and On Sacred Ground (2023). Films have collectively reached a stated audience of 2 billion viewers and earned 45+ awards for Kiss the Ground alone, plus 20+ major film awards for Common Ground, a 2025 Golden Globe for Groundswell, and a Cannes selection.

The company monetizes primarily through distribution and licensing rather than direct consumer sales. Prime Video (Amazon MGM Studios) holds worldwide streaming rights to the soil trilogy with exclusive Earth Day launches; AMC Theatres and Area 23a handle event-based theatrical distribution (e.g., 75+ screens for Common Ground on Earth Day 2024); and educational curricula are built around film content. A secondary commercial layer comes from brand partnerships tied to impact campaigns, notably the 100 Million Acres Pledge launched October 2024 with founding partner Maker's Mark and eight additional consumer brands (Applegate, Outerknown, Alec's Ice Cream, Serenity Kids, Ancient Nutrition, Cheddies, New Barn Organics, Oatman Farms), and the Bee:wild initiative launched May 2025 with conservation organization Re:wild to protect pollinators.

Big Picture Ranch serves four primary customer segments: climate-conscious general-public viewers reached through streaming, theatrical, and earned media; food and agriculture brands seeking sustainability positioning through the Pledge coalition; farmers and agricultural producers transitioning to regenerative practices; and educational institutions using film-based curricula. Distribution is global via Prime Video, with significant festival-circuit presence (Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, SXSW London, Red Nation, DOC LA) and earned media coverage (Deadline, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, ABC News, Fox News). The company has no proprietary software, app, API, or AI infrastructure — its only documented digital asset beyond the content library is an 'Inner Circle' email newsletter — and is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment or external ownership structure.

Name

Big Picture Ranch

Legal name

Big Picture Ranch

Website

https://bigpictureranch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Picture Ranch is an independent documentary film studio producing climate-focused films, including a soil trilogy on regenerative agriculture. Based in Ojai, California, it distributes globally through Prime Video and runs impact campaigns like the 100 Million Acres Pledge with brands and farmers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Documentary Film Production

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Nature, Science & Wildlife Documentaries (MPADADAF)

Keywords

• Documentary film production
• Environmental filmmaking
• Climate solutions media
• Regenerative agriculture content
• Impact documentary studio

Headquarters

HQ city

Ojai

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Streaming Rights & Distribution: Prime Video acquired worldwide streaming rights to three feature documentaries (Groundswell, Common Ground, Kiss the Ground), generating revenue through licensing deals with major streaming platforms.
2. Theatrical Distribution: Films are released theatrically through partnerships with AMC Theatres and Area 23a for event-based distribution, including exclusive one-day nationwide screening events.
3. Brand Partnerships & Impact Campaigns: The 100 Million Acres Pledge involves partnerships with brands (Maker's Mark, Applegate, Alec's Ice Cream, etc.) who commit to regenerative agriculture practices, generating value through co-marketing and campaign participation.
4. Merchandise & Educational Programs: The company builds educational programs around films (e.g., school curricula for Bee Wild) and sells related merchandise through their platform.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big Picture Ranch is an independent documentary film studio that produces, distributes, and licenses climate-focused documentary films and series. The company's core slate centers on environmental issues and regenerative agriculture, with content distributed globally through Prime Video (Amazon MGM Studios) and supplemental channels including AMC Theatres, Area 23a event distribution, and film festivals. The studio produces impact campaigns tied to its films, including the 100 Million Acres Pledge and One Billion Acres initiatives.

Product overview

Big Picture Ranch is a climate-focused film studio producing documentary films and series that tackle environmental issues and offer real solutions. The portfolio includes 13+ films under the 'Soil Trilogy' (Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, Groundswell), energy-focused documentaries (Fuel, Pump, The Big Fix), health-related films (The Earthing Movie), and social impact films (Good Fortune, The Revolution Generation, On Sacred Ground). Distribution is primarily through Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios, with additional releases on Apple TV, Vimeo, and YouTube. The studio has a global audience reach of 2 billion viewers and operates educational initiatives including the 100 Million Acres Pledge and Bee:wild educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Groundswell Golden Globe-winning documentary film (third in the soil trilogy) exploring climate change, species loss, and soil degradation through regenerative agriculture solutions globally. Narrated by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson. Released on Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video.
• Common Ground Documentary exposing the broken U.S. food system and highlighting regenerative agriculture as a climate solution, featuring white, Black, and Indigenous farmers. Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios & Prime Video.
• Kiss the Ground Award-winning documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson revealing how regenerating soil can stabilize Earth's climate, restore ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies. Won 45+ awards.
• The Earthing Movie Documentary exploring health benefits of 'earthing' or 'grounding' (physically connecting with the Earth's surface). Features Clint Ober.
• The Revolution Generation Documentary exploring activism and the potential of the largest youth generation in history to revolutionize systems and solve global crises.
• Pump Documentary exposing America's oil addiction and advocating for alternative fuels (ethanol, methanol, and natural gas) as cleaner, more affordable, domestically-sourced solutions. Narrated by Jason Bateman.
• Fuel Documentary examining energy solutions and the faltering U.S. petroleum industry. Won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Narrated by Woody Harrelson.
• The Big Fix Documentary exposing the devastating impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf Coast communities. Official Selection of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
• Good Fortune Documentary about John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Tequila, exploring conscious capitalism. Executive produced by Laura Dern.
• On Sacred Ground Drama based on the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, made in collaboration with the Sioux Tribe. Won 4 awards at the 2022 Red Nation Film Festival.
• Bee Wild Environmental documentary series exploring the vital role of wild bees in ecosystems. Part of the Bee:wild initiative powered by Re:wild to protect pollinators by restoring habitat and eliminating pesticides.
• Beautiful Nonsense Short film uncovering the hidden world behind oil extraction in Nigeria, exploring environmental and social consequences.
• One Prayer Short film featuring Chief Arvol Looking Horse sharing a prayer for humanity and call to action for Earth protection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Drove $19.5 billion USDA commitment to regenerative agriculture through film-driven awareness
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SXSW LondonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 May 2025Festival partner for world premiere of Bee Wild documentary series, currently in post-production.
• Re:wildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2025Bee Wild is part of the Bee:wild initiative, a global movement powered by Re:wild to protect pollinators by restoring 100 million acres of habitat, eliminating pesticides, and promoting regenerative agriculture. Goal is to mobilize 500 million people.
• Prime Video (Amazon MGM Studios)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2025Prime Video acquired worldwide streaming rights to three feature documentaries (Groundswell, Common Ground, Kiss the Ground). Common Ground and Kiss the Ground stream exclusively on Prime Video starting April 22 (Earth Day), including a never-before-seen director's cut of Kiss the Ground.
• Maker's MarkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Founding pledge member of the 100 Million Acres Pledge, committed to transitioning 10% of U.S.-sourced acreage into certified regenerative systems by 2030. Maker's Mark supports the regenerative agriculture movement through brand partnership and consumer engagement.
• Alec's Ice CreamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge, committed to regenerative agriculture practices in their supply chain.
• Ancient NutritionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge focused on regenerative agriculture supply chain commitments.
• ApplegateminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge, committed to regenerative agriculture transition in their sourcing.
• CheddiesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge campaign.
• New Barn OrganicsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge focused on organic and regenerative products.
• Oatman FarmsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge campaign.
• OuterknownminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge, founded by Kelly Slater.
• Serenity KidsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Brand partner of the 100 Million Acres Pledge focused on regenerative agriculture in baby food sourcing.
• AMC TheatrescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 April 2024Theatrical distribution partner for Common Ground: Earth Day 2024, a nationwide screening event across 75+ screens in major U.S. markets including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit, and Minneapolis.
• Area 23aminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 April 2024Event-based distributor for theatrical releases including Common Ground nationwide screening events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Participant Media: Participant Media is a mission-driven entertainment company that produces documentary and narrative films tied to social and environmental impact campaigns. Like Big Picture Ranch, it pairs A-list talent with measurable impact outcomes and platform distribution.
• The Redford Center: The Redford Center, co-founded by Robert Redford and his son James, produces environmental and social impact films and campaigns. It is one of the closest direct peers in climate-focused mission-driven storytelling.
• Abramorama: Abramorama is a documentary-focused film distribution and event-cinema company. It specializes in event-based theatrical distribution for impact documentaries, directly comparable to Big Picture Ranch's AMC Theatres one-day screening model.
• Concordia Studio: Concordia Studio is a narrative media company focused on impact-driven films and series with measurable social outcomes. Its mission-driven model and emphasis on outcomes make it a close comparable to Big Picture Ranch's approach.

Broad incumbents

• A24: A24 is an independent entertainment company producing and distributing film and television with a notable documentary portfolio. While broader in focus, it competes for indie distribution deals and high-profile documentary talent.
• NEON: NEON is an independent film distribution and production company with a strong documentary portfolio. It competes for theatrical and streaming distribution deals in the indie documentary category.
• National Geographic Documentary Films: The documentary film arm of National Geographic produces nature, science, and environmental documentaries with global distribution. As a much larger incumbent, it competes for talent, festival slots, and platform deals in the same category.
• Apple Original Films: Apple's original film division commissions and acquires premium documentary content for Apple TV+. As a major platform buyer, it competes for top-tier documentary talent and is an alternative distribution partner to Prime Video.

Emerging players

• Patagonia Films: Patagonia produces documentary films and short content tied to environmental activism and conservation. As a brand-aligned content producer focused on environmental storytelling, it overlaps with Big Picture Ranch's mission and audience.
• Vice Media: Vice Media's documentary division produces environmental and social impact content with global distribution. While broader in scope, it competes for documentary talent, brand partnerships, and youth-driven audience attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxl8Jr6foHb5KpeJx5URVKA
• Facebookfacebook.com/bigpictureranch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-picture-ranch
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigpictureranch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Picture Ranch