[1] The two-day event puts Minnesota's young filmmakers together with film industry professionals and provides them with an authentic festival experience.
[2] In 2009, young filmmakers representing 25 schools from around the state of Minnesota submitted 125 short films to the festival.
[2] A long list of notable Minnesota filmmakers support the .EDU Film Festival by serving as panelists during both days of the event.
In 2009 panelists included: documentarian Melody Gilbert, documentarian Matt Ehling, film reviewer and novelist Peter Schilling, film critic Colin Covert, film writer Jim Brunzell III, news editor Euan Kerr, filmmaker and animator Tom Schroeder, screenwriter Michael Starrbury, producer/filmmaker Bobby Marsden, production manager Deena Graf, and creative director Jeffrey Bair.
Lastly, The .EDU Film Festival provides a time and place for young filmmakers from all over the state to interact with each other, form friendships and partnerships, and to create a professional network of peers.