In addition to the high-profile awards ceremony in which the three winners are announced, the Minnesota Independent Film Fund also arranges meetings between the winners and steering committee members in New York and Los Angeles. These informal dinners are a good chance for developing filmmakers to have the ear of influential filmmakers. (Last year, one dinner conversation led to an option agreement!) The MIFF awards ceremony is in November, and the steering committee dinners are held each spring and fall.

The D.L. Mabery award is given to the best Minnesota independent short film and the best Minnesota independent feature of the year, and is announced Oscar night at "Hollywood," the Twin Cities annual Academy Awards® benefit held by the Minnesota AIDS Project. The winners receive $250 and a special screening during the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival. Finalists announced in February; winners in March.

Town Meetings and trade shows (local, national and international) help solidify the production community and attempt to spread the word about Minnesota and its excellent production resources. Other community-building events include film premieres and the annual listing and release parties for the Minnesota Production Guide. In addition, the Film/TV board also participates in events held by sister organizations including IFP/Minneapolis, AICP and MCAI.