Welcome to the EDU Film Festival, the premier celebration of youth filmmaking! Each year, high school students come together to watch their original films come to life on the big screen, with sounds that fill the room!

Throughout the day, festival goers explore an exciting array of new films screened in multiple theater rooms, giving them the freedom to choose their own adventure. For guests ready to take their skills to the next level and learn more about the craft, EDUFF hosts immersive workshops and hands-on filmmaking experiences. You may walk through a film set as an actor reads through their lines, or you may have the opportunity to be mentored by an industry professional as you film the excitement of the day. Anything is possible, and each year is unique!

Join us live in Minneapolis on May 2nd, or submit your own film and visit edufilmfest.org for special screenings! Our goal is to give creators even more opportunities to shine throughout 2025.

Whether you’re behind the camera or just love great storytelling, we invite you to be part of this exciting celebration of creativity and storytelling!

A submission fee is required unless a waiver or promo code is applied. Please review the festival’s guidelines for details.

Best-In-Fest
Best Documentary
Best Experimental
Best Narrative
Best Music Video
Best Micro-Film
Best Animation
Best Cinematography
2026 Minnesota Women in Film and TV: Emerging Filmmaker
2026 EDU Film Festival: Emerging Filmmaker of Color
2026 Flip the Script Festival: LGBTQ+ Voices

Age Restriction and Eligibility
[ ] The Director(s) must be between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of the film’s production.

Collaboration and Growth Exception
[ ] We encourage you to demonstrate leadership and ambition by collaborating with a variety of team members, whether peers or skilled professionals. The Director’s role (ages 14-18) should clearly demonstrate youth-driven creativity and decision-making throughout the production process.

[ ] Films with collaborators outside the 14-18 age range, including professionals or older students, are welcome. However, they should play supporting roles, allowing the vision, voice, and leadership of the youth filmmaker(s) to remain central to the project.

[ ] We recognize that access to professional equipment, crew, or resources can vary among filmmakers. As part of the festival’s commitment to fairness, judging will prioritize creativity, leadership, and storytelling over the use of high-budget resources or external professional input.

New for 2025: Behind-the-Scenes Photos
[ ] Share a glimpse into the making of your film! Along with your submission, prepare 3 production photos to be uploaded upon selection. With permission, we may feature these images on our social media or festival materials to spotlight your project and inspire other filmmakers.

About the Film Summary:
[ ] Don't pass on writing a short description of your film (50-150 words) to help us understand your vision, themes, and any key details! This description will accompany your film in festival materials and may be used in promotional content.

Runtime Limit:
[ ] Films must be 20 minutes or less, including credits. Submissions exceeding this limit may not be eligible for the festival but may still be reviewed for other opportunities and feedback.

Completion Date:
[ ] Films must have been completed within the past 12 months to ensure the work reflects current skills and creativity.

Promotion and Publicity:
[ ] By submitting, you grant the festival permission to use your film’s title, summary, and production stills for promotional purposes, while giving proper credit.

Sensitive Content:
[ ] If your film includes themes like violence, mental health struggles, or discrimination, let us know so we can include a viewer advisory if needed. This helps us keep the festival a safe and supportive space for everyone. Viewer advisories may be added to the program or before the screening.

Content Guidelines:
[ ] Before submitting your film, please review our guidelines. We encourage films that reflect creativity without crossing certain lines. Submissions that do not comply with the festival’s rules and guidelines may be disqualified at the discretion of the organizers. Your film should avoid content that:

- Glorifies Violence: Avoid showing violence in a way that makes it look cool or desirable.

- Promotes Drugs or Alcohol: Don’t show characters selling, using, or partying with drugs or alcohol in a positive light.

- Celebrates Theft: Stealing isn’t cool, so please don’t depict it as something fun or exciting.

- Contains Sexual Content: Keep it appropriate! We want to avoid any explicit sexual acts or suggestive themes.

- Makes Threats: No threats to individuals, groups, or organizations—let’s keep it friendly!

- Harasses or Bullies: No form of harassment or bullying, whether it’s in the story or the way characters treat each other.

- Shows Characters Under the Influence: Avoid showing characters who are high, drunk, or under the influence of intoxicants.

- Uses Profanity or Offensive Language: Keep the language clean and respectful.

- Includes Hate Speech: We’re all about inclusion! Please don’t promote any discrimination against anyone based on their race, gender, sexuality, religion, or abilities.

- Invades Privacy: Respect people’s privacy—don’t use someone’s likeness or story without their permission.

- Shows Illegal Activities: No endorsements or depictions of illegal actions that might get someone in trouble.

- Spreads Misinformation: Keep the facts straight! Avoid portraying misleading or false information, especially about serious topics.

- Breaks Copyright Rules: Make sure you have the rights to any music, images, or other content you use in your film.

- Please Be Mindful of Your Audience: Remember that youth filmmakers and audiences will be watching. If your film has sensitive topics, give us a heads-up in your submission.

- Please Keep It Youth-Friendly: Remember, we’re showcasing youth filmmakers, so let’s keep it suitable for all ages.

After reading through the rules and content guidelines, you’ve earned a discount code! If your film has a place at the EDU Film Festival, use code EDUFF2025FILMPASS for free submission!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • International School Of Kuala Lumpur

    EDU film festival is absolutely top notch. Mike and his crew are extremely professional, communicative, and truly trying to make a special experience for high school students. As an international high school film program, we don't have a lot of local opportunities to showcase our work, and many of the festivals we look at restrict their international submissions at the high school level. We're so appreciative that EDU included us this year and their commitment to equity and inclusion. Such a great experience! Kudos!

    May 2025
  • Kal Tewodros

    This was my first ever film fest and I was so excited. The people there were amazing especially the directors workshop it was so fun. The only thing I didn’t quite enjoy was the fact that the awards were mostly from out of state. There were amazing projects made by public school students in Minnesota that didn’t receive any award. Im a beginner so I dont care too much about what I get I was just happy to have my film accepted but for those who have came to one of these before and were wronged both times is a bit obserd. I’m unsure who’s in charge of voting but I think we need more diversity in voting and judges who can see potential and talent. The school in Malaysia got like 6 awards which is amazing but again, lacks diversity. It’s just kind of uninspiring when the public schools don’t get as much recognition for their work and the cool art schools are seen more. With little to work with our films were unique and told stories but left disappointed because of how unseen we were. I was also told a student was given an award but it was taken away because they gave it to the wrong person or something. That’s honestly horrible because imagine how the person felt getting awarded for their talent just to find out it was a mistake? Even the apology given was absolutely insensitive. Next year I hope we can have more awards and include more schools even if their small. Other than that the event was neatly organized and beautiful. I’m glad I got to go but also sad for my peers. I’m also aware disappointment comes before success but their still kids who worked hard.

    May 2025
  • Margot Torresin

    EDU Film Fest was my first ever film festival. I submitted my junior project, Apocalypse Dreams, & was awarded in two categories. As someone who is used to showing my films to people and running to the other room while they watch, it was surreal to see my work played in a theatre to sizeable audience. Hearing my film through the theatre speakers for the first time made all of the hours meticulously designing sound worth it. The festival director, Mike Gonzales, is a kind & dedicated soul, who made the distance traveled worth it. He negotiated with me through email each step of the way to ensure things would go as planned. Myself and a select few others were among the few out of state selections, and I can only hope that number will grow. I will definitely be submitting to this festival again. :)

    June 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Margot, your film was an amazing addition to the festival and we're so glad you shared it with us. We can't wait to see what you create next! Thank you for your kind words.

  • Thank you very much for selection of "Adult", for the great communication and for your support of Ukraine!

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    From all of us at EDUFF, it was a pleasure working with you to get "Adult" to our audience in Minnesota! Thank you for sharing, and we hope to see yet another project submitted for 2025!

  • Phobophobia None

    A super great first experience with a film festival! I will definitely be returning next year.

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    We're thrilled when a festival goer experiences EDUFF for the first time! Thanks for your feedback, it lets us know we're on the right track. See you next year!