About
Since 2018, the Big Picture Peoria Film Festival has been showcasing Midwest films on the big screen. BPPFF is an opportunity for Midwest filmmakers to come together, screen their films, and celebrate their work. The winning films will be screened on the giant screen theater at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
The festival is a weekend event where filmmakers are invited to explore the city of Peoria through various events hosted by the festival, including networking opportunities, social gatherings, and an after party.
We serve Central Illinois and the greater Midwest community by building local and regional film connections through networking, screenings, and awards. Our mission is to celebrate our regional filmmakers and highlight artists' voices from underserved communities.
A film festival that celebrates films and filmmakers.
We were motivated by the need to gather together in person and celebrate local films—it’s a sacred ritual and important platform for emerging filmmakers.
We believe our filmmakers are a big deal so we play their films on a big screen (five by seven stories (52-ft high and 70-ft wide)). Our filmmakers come from anywhere within 350 miles of Peoria* to celebrate their films and engage with other creatives about the work that matters to them. Though we treat our filmmakers to networking events and after parties, we pride ourselves in creating an even playing field for seasoned and emerging filmmakers in a humble, Midwest atmosphere.
*We accept films from filmmakers living (or going to school) within 350 miles. We are also open to films that take place in or are grounded in the Midwest. If you are unsure if you are eligible or you consider yourself a Midwest filmmaker but don’t meet this criteria, please don't hesitate to reach out to us because our goal is to support Midwest filmmakers and we may make an exception.
If you’d like to contact the Big Picture Peoria Film Festival, please reach out here.