i was wondering if i could use my pinnacle 8 edited files for pinnacle 9, for instance, i already have pinnacle 8 and i have about a 22 min video project in it, and i wanted to buy pinnacle 9 but not if i cant use my 22 min video in it.

I just upgraded from 8 to 9.
Here's what you'll have to do though:
Save all of your footage and .stu files in seperate folders than the Pinnacle ones, because when you install 9, it deletes all of Pinnacle's previous files/folders (program files/pinnacle studio/captured video/...)

Also, if you used the contrast and coloration tools in 8, it'll look messed up in 9 at first because it doesn't have the same coloration tools. But you can turn them off, and you'll have your original raw-looking footage.
Hope this helps.