The Western Illinois Museum invites the community to enjoy a heartwarming and thought-provoking documentary, PIEOWA: A Piece of America, on Sunday, November 16th, with showings at 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Filmmaker Beth M. Howard will join the audience for a discussion following the first screening at 2:45 p.m. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.

PIEOWA celebrates the myriad ways pie is baked into Iowa’s culture, the lengths people will go to for a slice, and how this humble pastry can bake the world a better place. What begins as a love letter to pie, an emblem of comfort, generosity, and Americana, unfolds into a deeper reflection on resilience, community, and the shared traditions that connect us. Through the stories of farmers, bakers, small-town dreamers, and everyday heroes, the film captures the heart of rural America with honesty and affection. Watch the trailer.

The film, which premiered in June 2025, has been screening in sold-out theaters and is resonating with audiences in Iowa and beyond. Howard took home the award for Best Food Film at the San Antonio Film Festival, received the Award of Merit at the Impact DOCS Awards, and won Best Audience Award at the Silicon Beach Film Festival in Los Angeles, where PIEOWA was shown at the iconic Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.

For more information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.