BEMIDJI — Thanks to things like smartphones having sophisticated cameras and the rise of social media video apps like TikTok, more people are finding their creative side through filmmaking.
The chair of the School of Technology, Art and Design at Bemidji State University, Drew Graham, thought that it was a perfect time to bring back the TAD Film Festival after a six-year hiatus.
He wasn’t alone in this project. Bemidji State University senior Jaelyn Jordan told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that she came aboard to help as soon as Graham announced the festival was returning. Jordan then became the lead project manager of the festival.
They are doing things a little differently at this year’s festival. There will be two categories of film: one-minute films and films under five minutes. There will be a first and second prize for both categories, judged by BSU staff and faculty members.
Anyone from seventh grade to a senior in college was allowed to participate. The wide age range resulted in quite a variety of films.
“We have a few narrative films that have been submitted," Graham said. " ... We've got things from short 2D animations to basically commercials for different organizations. So, it's going to be a real mix of content.”
The TAD Film Festival ended up with 26 different videos submitted, with 14 micro-films and 12 short films. Organizers estimate about 40 minutes of videos altogether.
They’re planning to go all out for the event as well. There will be a red carpet for picture taking before the films are shown. They have a popcorn machine to give that classic movie theater feeling. There will also be some candy available.
It is a student-heavy event. The festival will include not only the film participants who are showing the editing and filming skills they learned at BSU, but also the marketing students who helped design the flyers for the event, and the TAD students helping behind the scenes.
Doors to the festival will open at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, in the Hagg Sauer building. The event is free to attend and open to everybody, including community members.
“I think it's just a great opportunity to come and see what the students are actually doing for a lot of their work," Jordan said. "I mean, some of these are kind of just fun, random projects that they threw together. ... But some of them, this is work that they're doing in their classes and skills that they're learning there. So, if you want to see what is actually happening over at the Technology, Art and Design department and get a feel for it, it's totally a great opportunity to go and do that.”
Listen to the full conversation with Graham and Jordan as they discuss the preparation for and history of the film festival by clicking above.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
-
Plus: Lockdown at Northwest Technical College; downtown Walker evacuated as natural gas line damaged; and a man missing in St. Louis County was found five days later by family. -
Minnesota Twist Drill in Chisholm and Triumph Twist Drill in Hibbing manufacture tools including drill bits and cutting tools for industrial, commercial and home use. -
Bemidji police quickly located the person April 15, 2026, and used crisis intervention and found no physical threat. The student was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
