Hi @NSMarino,

The good news is that you can do this relatively easily!  The "manage selected files" section of the  How do I use Files as an instructor? - Instructure Community  guide shows you that when you select multiple files (by holding the control/command button and clicking multiple, or doing control/command + "a" to select all), you'll have a "manage access" icon on the top of the files area available to click and publish all of the files you selected at once.

I hope this helps out and saves you some time!

-Chris