
Wardcliffe (2025)
Over the course of a single day, decades of tension escalate to a boiling point as a father and son quarantine together during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Based on real events.
Shot in Elmwood and Peoria. Writer-director David Ferino, a Peoria Native, will be present for a Q&A following the film.

Big Picture Peoria Film Festival Screening
The Big Picture Peoria Film Festival invites filmmakers from across the Midwest to share their short films at the Giant Screen Theater. Each screening consists of approximately 90 minutes of short films followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Please note: These films are by independent filmmakers and are not rated. Some content may include mature themes or language. Parental discretion is advised.
Screenings regularly sell out, so we recommend arriving well before showtime to find a seat in the full theater. There will be local acoustic music while you wait. If you are not here 5 minutes before the screening, your seat may be given away to a RUSH TICKET holder.
RUSH TICKETS – If tickets are sold out—there will be a limited number of tickets sold the day of. If you want to buy RUSH TICKETS please see the information here.

Big Picture Peoria Film Festival Screening (Family Friendly)
New this year—The Big Picture Peoria Film Festival invites filmmakers from across the Midwest to share their “family friendly” short films at the Giant Screen Theater. Films include animated shorts and documentaries. Each screening consists of approximately 90 minutes of short films followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Please note: The programming team will make every effort to select short films that are family-friendly (PG). However, we cannot guarantee that content will be suitable for all audiences. Please see the information about each film and read our content warnings for each one.
Screenings regularly sell out, so we recommend arriving well before showtime to find a seat in the full theater. There will be local acoustic music while you wait. If you are not here 5 minutes before the screening, your seat may be given away to a RUSH TICKET holder.
RUSH TICKETS – If tickets are sold out—there will be a limited number of tickets sold the day of. If you want to buy RUSH TICKETS please see the information here.

Big Picture Peoria Film Festival Screening
The Big Picture Peoria Film Festival invites filmmakers from across the Midwest to share their short films at the Giant Screen Theater. Each screening consists of approximately 90 minutes of short films followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Following the Saturday night screening, we will present the awards to the best films at the fest, including the audience awards. The renowned after party will follow—tickets to the after party at Zion are sold here.
Please note: These films are by independent filmmakers and are not rated. Some content may include mature themes or language. Parental discretion is advised.
Screenings regularly sell out, so we recommend arriving well before showtime to find a seat in the full theater. There will be local acoustic music while you wait. If you are not here 5 minutes before the screening, your seat will be given away to a RUSH TICKET holder.
RUSH TICKETS – If tickets are sold out—there will be a limited number of tickets sold the day of. If you want to buy RUSH TICKETS please see the information here.

Wardcliffe (2025)
Over the course of a single day, decades of tension escalate to a boiling point as a father and son quarantine together during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Based on real events.
Shot in Elmwood and Peoria. Writer-director David Ferino, a Peoria Native, and producer Roger M. Mayer will be present to introduce the film.