The invention is directed to a piezoelectric composite comprising (a) a polymer matrix; and (b) a plurality of coated piezoelectric filler particles that are dispersed in the polymer matrix. Further, each of the plurality of coated piezoelectric filler particles comprises a piezoelectric material having at least a portion of its outer surface coated with a polymeric material that has at least one polar functional group. The invention is further directed towards films containing such piezoelectric composites and methods of preparing such films.