Free screening of documentary 'Common Ground'

Johnson County nonprofit organizations have come together again to share their concern for the environment. They are offering the public an opportunity to view the documentary film Common Ground at the Iowa City Public Library on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. There is no charge to view the documentary.

Audience members are invited to stay following the film for discussion.

The free screening has been made possible by a grant from Roco Films.

Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the successful documentary, Kiss the Ground, which has been viewed by more than 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health. The film combines journalistic expose’ with personal stories from those working in the food movement, Common Ground reveals a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system.

The film documents how unjust practices have forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are dying to feed us. The film also profiles a hopeful movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who use alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy — before it’s too late.

Big Picture Ranch film studio founders Josh and Rebecca Tickell are Sundance Award-winning documentarians. Common Ground has received 6 festival awards and is awards-eligible for an Academy Award “For Your Consideration: Best Documentary Feature 2023.”

The filmmaking couple specializes in films with environmental themes including Fuel, The Big Fix, Pump, and Good Fortune,and Kiss the Ground (with Woody Harrelson). In 2021 they released The Revolution Generation (with Michelle Rodriguez), and their debut scripted film, Heartland.

Project GREEN and the Iowa City Public Library collaborated with like-minded area nonprofit organizations that work to benefit and protect the environment to sponsor the screening: 100Grannies, Backyard Abundance, Bur Oak Land Trust, Johnson County Master Gardeners, the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter.

The public may view 'Common Ground' for free on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in the Iowa City Public Library.Photo byImage courtesy of Roco Films.