On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jessica Moreano, programming director of the Big Picture Peoria Film Festival, about the festival’s return Nov. 20 and 21 to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
The two-day festival celebrates independent filmmaking with four screenings at the museum’s Giant Screen Theater, featuring a diverse selection of short films spanning animation, narrative fiction and documentary. This year introduces a dedicated student filmmaker screening on Friday afternoon, alongside a family-friendly program on Saturday and additional screenings showcasing a range of creative voices and storytelling approaches.
With more than 80 films submitted this year, Moreano says the festival continues to grow while remaining committed to highlighting filmmakers and perspectives that are often underrepresented. The selection process emphasizes diversity in age, background and subject matter, while also considering stories that will resonate with central Illinois audiences.
“One of our core principles of the film festival is to shine a spotlight on voices that are typically underrepresented,” Moreano said.
Unlike the usual cinema experience, each screening features several short films followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers. Audiences have an opportunity to learn about the creative process, from cinematography and lighting to sound design, editing and storytelling, directly from the people who created the films.
The Big Picture Peoria Film Festival takes place Nov. 20 and 21 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, concluding with an awards ceremony and celebration Saturday evening. Listen to the full conversation to discover how the festival brings filmmakers and audiences together through storytelling.
