The guild has a long history of organizing film festivals, screenings, and educational events, and has played a vital role in bringing cinema of all genres to the people of Edinburgh and the surrounding area.
Today, the guild offers a wide range of programming, including film screenings, and educational events.
According to Scottish film theorist and documentarian John Grierson the EFG was of particular importance for promoting a wide view of cinema.
Writing in 1951 he commented: "The old London Film Society was the first to break from somewhat exclusive attention to the avant-garde and take the longer and harder way of the Russians and more purposive users of the cinema.
The programme is organised on the basis of mini-seasons linked by some common element, of director, performer, country, genre or theme.