Sycamore Pictures
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Ben Nearn, Tom Rice |
| Headquarters | Memphis and Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Ben Nearn (Memphis office), Tom Rice (Los Angeles office) |
| Products | Films |
Sycamore Pictures is a U.S.-based production firm launched in 2011 by producers Ben Nearn and Tom Rice.
History
Founded with the intention of creating films that embody a "more redemptive tone" appropriate for family audiences, Sycamore Pictures operates with two main offices: the Memphis branch, overseen by Nearn—who previously worked as an investment banker and served as COO and minority stakeholder at Cross Creek Pictures—and the Los Angeles office, managed by Rice, an independent film producer and screenwriter. The initial capital was raised by Nearn from investors primarily located in the Memphis region and beyond, employing a profit-sharing approach that includes actors, directors, and other creative contributors.
The company's inaugural film, The Way Way Back, debuted at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where its distribution rights were acquired for $9.75 million, reportedly marking the highest deal at that year's festival.
The 2014 release Begin Again is described as an independent romantic drama infused with musical elements, distinguished by its uplifting depiction of friendship between a man and a woman rather than focusing on romance.
Merry Friggin' Christmas, which premiered in late 2014, is notable for featuring Robin Williams in his final cinematic appearance prior to his passing.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Way, Way Back | Nat Faxon and Jim Rash | co-produced with The Walsh Company and OddLot Entertainment; released by Fox Searchlight Pictures; Sycamore's first film |
| Begin Again | John Carney | co-produced alongside Exclusive Media, Black Label Media, Likely Story, and Apatow Productions; distributed by The Weinstein Company | |
| 2014 | A Merry Friggin' Christmas | Tristram Shapeero | distribution handled by Phase 4 Films and Entertainment One Films |
| 2015 | Mississippi Grind | Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck | co-produced with Electric City Entertainment; distribution by A24, DirecTV (US), and Annapurna International (international) |
| 2016 | The Hollars | John Krasinski | joint production with Groundswell Productions and Sunday Night Productions; distributed by Sony Pictures Classics |
| Collide | Eran Creevy | co-production involving IM Global, DMG Entertainment, Silver Pictures, Hands-on Producers GmbH, 42, and Automatik Entertainment; distributed in the US by Open Road Films and in Germany by Universum Film | |
| 2017 | Speech & Debate | Dan Harris | distribution through Vertical Entertainment |
| 2020 | Greyhound | Aaron Schneider | collaborative production with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Stage 6 Films, FilmNation Entertainment, Bron Creative, Zhengfu Pictures, and Playtone; distributed via Apple TV+ |