Documentary ‘This Is Not A Drill’ Chronicles the Courage of Three Individuals Taking on Big Oil
Grassroots Activism Highlighted in Documentary "This Is Not a Drill"
A new documentary titled This Is Not a Drill shines a spotlight on grassroots activists confronting the challenges posed by Big Oil and environmental racism. For the film’s protagonists, these issues represent an urgent struggle for the well-being of their communities.
Directed by Oscar nominee Oren Jacoby, the documentary features three central figures: Justin J. Pearson, Roishetta Ozane, and Sharon Wilson. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival last year and is set to screen at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City on Earth Day. Following its screening, the documentary will be available for free on Patagonia’s YouTube channel starting April 30.
The film’s description underscores the urgency brought on by increasing extreme weather events: “As extreme weather around the world grows deadlier, a new generation of leaders is rising to face the challenge,” detailing how three unlikely heroes in the American South confront one of the world’s most powerful industries.
Justin Pearson, a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, gained national attention in 2023 when he was expelled from the Republican-controlled legislature during a gun control protest on the House floor. Roishetta Ozane is a mother of six from Louisiana who has turned personal tragedy into activism, advocating for change from storm-ravaged streets to Congress. Sharon Wilson, a fifth-generation Texan, transitioned from an oil insider to a methane hunter, utilizing infrared cameras to unveil hazardous emissions from fracking sites.
The documentary reveals how these activists join forces with unexpected allies, including descendants of John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil. Its synopsis states, “This Is Not a Drill is the story of courage, betrayal, and grassroots victories showing how people, armed only with grit and determination, can stand up to power.”
Produced by Patagonia Films and Storyville Films in association with the Ford Foundation and JustFilms, the documentary won the audience award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 GlobeDocs Film Festival in Boston.
Jacoby notes in a director’s statement that Pearson, Ozane, and Wilson are “ordinary citizens who have become part of an organized opposition,” combating the expansion of oil and gas infrastructure. He emphasizes the importance of their efforts in the fight against climate change, highlighting their innovative methods for accountability.
The film aims to inspire by illustrating how grassroots activism can effect significant change, a reminder of the power of community action in the face of daunting challenges.
Justin J. Pearson
Roishetta Ozane
Sharon Wilson carries a thermal imaging camera.
Director Oren Jacoby
