Our Vision
To make the most compelling cinematic experiences possible, to change your perception of the universe in ways you never imagined, and to distribute those experiences to theaters, museums, planetariums, zoos and aquariums to have the broadest reach possible.
Our History
Our past films include award-winning IMAX® and giant screen productions and transformative environmental documentaries with tremendous social impact.
We take on impossible challenges to bring you spectacular visions and unforgettable experiences of our world.
In 2018, we successfully launched our distribution division with our own films and the award-winning films from the National Geographic film library.
Joanie Vandenberg Philipp
Joanie joined Cosmic Picture in January 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in the museum industry and a deep passion for science and the natural world. She retired as COO and VP of Capital Projects for a museum network that included a major Science Center, IMAX Dome Theatre, two Children’s Museums, a Nature Museum, and an Educational Professional Development Center. Having been involved with the giant screen cinema industry since the early 90s, Joanie is particularly excited about the mission-driven work of the giant screen experience and the collective impact of the industry.
TARAN DAVIES
Taran co-founded Cosmic Picture in 2004 and conceived and produced the award winning IMAX® documentary film Journey to Mecca, and the giant screen movies Jerusalem, Superpower Dogs, and Heart of New England.
He has also written and directed several critically acclaimed documentary films including Afghan Stories, which was described by the Anthology of Cult Films as one of the best documentary films ever made.
Taran studied filmmaking at Harvard (’93) and worked in finance and venture capital for several years in New York City.
Daniel Ferguson
Daniel has produced, written and directed films for National Geographic Studios, the National Wildlife Federation, History TV, Smithsonian Networks, France Television and Discovery Channel. His IMAX®/giant screen credits include Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance, Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France, Journey to Mecca, Jerusalem, Superpower Dogs and Heart of New England.
His most recent film is the feature documentary, Last of the Elephant Men. He sits on the board of the Giant Screen Cinema Association and the Alter-Ciné Foundation, which provides grants to filmmakers in the developing world.
John Wickstrom
John has more than 30 years experience in production, distribution and exhibition of giant screen films with National Geographic, the Museum of Science and Industry and nWave Pictures. He was a distributor of Antarctica, and distributor and Production Executive on Mysteries of Egypt, both in the IMAX Hall of Fame. He served as NSF Co-Principal Investigator, Executive Producer, and Distributor for Solarmax. John was also Chairman of the Jerusalem Exhibitors Consortium, the theater advisory panel for Cosmic Picture's Jerusalem. In total John has distributed more than 30 films with a combined box office surpassing $1 Billion.
Dominic Cunningham-Reid
Dominic co-founded Cosmic Picture in 2004 and produced the award winning IMAX® documentary film Journey to Mecca, and conceived Superpower Dogs in 2014. Dominic has shot and produced documentary films for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Paramount Pictures, and News Corporation, and hosted the acclaimed National Geographic specials Diamonds of War and The War Next Door.
He worked as freelance journalist for Associated Press and Reuters covering conflicts in Africa and Afghanistan.
Mike Lutz
Mike brings over 30 years of experience delivering innovative programs and technology to science centers, museums, aquariums, and cultural attractions worldwide. Currently focused on advancing educational technology, including groundbreaking compound curve LED screens for immersive experiences at Cosm and Sphere. He has held leadership roles at IMAX, Evans & Sutherland/Spitz, MacGillivray Freeman Films, and Laser Fantasy International. A respected industry executive, Mike is also the founding co-chair of the Giant Screen Cinema Association’s Industry Leadership.
Jill Kasian
Jill Kasian, Producer, has been working in production and post-production on Giant Screen films for the past twenty years. Her credits include: Superpower Dogs (Associate Producer), Rocky Mountain Express (1st Assistant Director) and Jerusalem (Production & Post Coordinator).
Jennifer Lee Hackett
Jennifer Lee Hackett brings over 25 years of experience in the giant screen and museum film industry to her role at Cosmic Picture Distribution. She has held leadership roles at respected organizations including National Geographic Cinema Ventures, nWave Pictures, and Smithsonian Enterprises. Jennifer excels at developing and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives that connect educational content with museum and science center audiences worldwide. With a master’s degree in Elementary Education, her background informs a strong commitment to creating enriching, curiosity-driven experiences. At Cosmic Picture, she continues to foster meaningful partnerships and de liver impactful storytelling to institutions across the globe.
Kim Nickels
Kim joined Cosmic as the CFO in November 2023. She has over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance including public accounting, the hospital industry, and non-profits. She spent 6 years as the VP of Finance and Operations at the Putnam Museum and Science Center, which included oversight of their giant screen theater.
Aileen Robertson
Accomplished marketing executive and entrepreneur Aileen Robertson leads film marketing, brand management, and corporate partnerships. Before joining Cosmic Picture, she was Director of Integrated Marketing at National Geographic, overseeing global campaigns for giant screen films, television, home entertainment, and gaming. Aileen has directed strategy for over 25 films, including March of the Penguins, Superpower Dogs, and Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure. From high-level strategy to execution, she consistently delivers results. Her partnerships include Starbucks Entertainment, Mars Petcare, Lockheed Martin, FEI, NSF, and The Nature Conservancy.
Giant Screen Technology
Giant screen and IMAX® films are photographed with the highest resolution cameras and projected onto the largest screens on earth, to create an unique and unforgettable immersive experience.
Located in hundreds of the world’s most influential educational institutions, such as the Smithsonian in Washington DC, La Geode in Paris, and the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, giant screen and IMAX® films are amongst the most successful documentary films of all time
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DISTRIBUTION
JOANIE VANDENBERG PHILIPP PRESIDENT
JOHN WICKSTROM CHIEF DISTRIBUTION OFFICER