The Peoria Film Festival kicks off in October; here is an overview of the composition

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Jan 16, 2023

PEORIA, Arizona (3TV/CBS 5) – The Peoria Film Festival begins October 13 and lasts until October 16 at Harkins Arrowhead 18!

This year’s event will host an impressive line-up of films for the big screen. Consult the program below and click here to buy your tickets!

THURSDAY – OCT. 13:

The same storm – 6 p.m. – with Sandra Oh and Moses Ingram. Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic on iPhones and laptops, this film follows four characters surviving the spring and summer months of 2020.

FRIDAY – OCT. 14:

Life in sync – 7 p.m. – directed by Angela Pinaglia. This film highlights the lives of figure skaters, the ups and downs of their careers, their routines and their constant pursuit towards the Olympics. Click here to watch the trailer.

SATURDAY – OCT. 15:

The monster in me – 11:10 – directed by Tony Siva. This film focuses on the life of a family faced with Lyme disease. Click here to watch the trailer.
Miles to go before sleeping – 1:00 p.m. – directed by Mijie Li. A middle school teacher-turned-activist becomes the whistleblower for a nationwide dog theft ring.
Under Pressure: The Animated Musical – 1:40 p.m. – directed by Gwendolyn Selfridge. Two best friends go on a trip with new friends. They learn dark secrets along the way, putting them both in grave danger. Click here to watch the trailer.
Peoria Shorts Group A & B – 2:10 p.m. (A), 4:40 p.m. (B) – Expect to see a variety of short films from different directors!
Wake Up Eyes – 3:30 p.m. – directed by Timothy Zwica. A woman survives her second suicide attempt in a week, and she learns uncomfortable truths about the human experience and self-forgiveness while staying in a mental institution for a weekend. Click here to watch the trailer.
Love Has a Room – 4:50 p.m. – directed by Rodrigo Cortés. Inspired by Poland in 1942 and the Nazi invasion, this film tells the story of a Jewish actress who tries to escape from the Warsaw ghetto. Critics say there are parallels between this film and Cortes’ previous similar film BURIED. Click here to watch the trailer.
Unidentified objects – 6:30 p.m. – directed by Juan Felipe Zuleta. Peter is a dwarf hidden in the world, living in New York. His neighbor Winona comes to visit, convincing him to take the road trip of his life to see what she believes to be an alien visit to Canada. Will they meet the extraterrestrials they will see?
Four Samosas – 7:10 p.m. – directed by Ravi Kapoor. When a rising rap star learns his ex is engaged to his rival, he and three friends set out to steal her wedding diamonds.
IFP Phoenix 240 at the Glory Film Challenge – 7:20 p.m. – What can local filmmakers do in just 240 hours? The teams took 10 days to make a film based on a line of dialogue that is to be used in the film. You can vote for your favorite to win the Public Prize!

SUNDAY – OCT. 16:

Under Pressure: The Animated Musical – 11:30 a.m. – directed by Gwendolyn Selfridge. Two best friends go on a trip with new friends. They learn dark secrets along the way, putting them both in grave danger.
Peoria Shorts Group B – 11:40 a.m. – Expect to see a variety of short films from different directors!
Kilometers to go before sleeping – 11:50 a.m. – directed by Mijie Li. A middle school teacher-turned-activist becomes the whistleblower for a nationwide dog theft ring.
Wake Up Eyes – 2:00 p.m. – directed by Timothy Zwica. A woman survives her second suicide attempt in a week, and she learns uncomfortable truths about the human experience and self-forgiveness while staying in a mental institution for a weekend.
Unidentified objects – 2:10 p.m. – directed by Juan Felipe Zuleta. Peter is a dwarf hidden in the world, living in New York. His neighbor Winona comes to visit, convincing him to take the road trip of his life to see what she believes to be an alien visit to Canada. Will they meet the extraterrestrials they will see?
Bad ax – 2:20 p.m. – directed by David Siev. An Asian-American family living in rural Michigan struggles to survive the global pandemic, racial prejudice and more while owning a popular little restaurant in town. Click here to watch the trailer.
The monster in me – 4:30 p.m. – directed by Tony Siva. This film focuses on the life of a family faced with Lyme disease. Click here to watch the trailer.
Peoria Shorts Group A – 4:40 a.m. – Expect to see a variety of short films from different directors!
Love Has a Room – 4:50 p.m. – directed by Rodrigo Cortés. Inspired by Poland in 1942 and the Nazi invasion, this film tells the story of a Jewish actress who tries to escape from the Warsaw ghetto. Critics say there are parallels between this film and Cortes’ previous similar film BURIED.
The return of Tanya Tucker – 7:00 p.m. – directed by Kathlyn Horan. Rising Americana star Brandi Carlisle is helping country music legend Tanya Tucker find her voice, inspiring a new generation with new songs and sound. You’ll also be able to see never-before-seen footage and photos of Tucker’s story and how it all started in a simple trailer in Seminole, Texas. Click here to watch the trailer.