Empowering the Next Generation of Storytellers: The 2026 California Student Media Festival

Published: March 5, 2026
5 min read
Graphic for the California Student Media Festival 2026

At Kami, we believe that every student has a story to tell. Interactive learning experiences–including creating multimedia projects like digital books, documentaries, and short films–is one of the most powerful ways for students to find their voice and build essential 21st-century skills.

That’s why we are incredibly proud to partner with the California Student Media Festival (CSMF)—the nation’s oldest student media competition. For nearly 60 years, this festival has celebrated the incredible work of K-12 students and teachers, and now is the chance to enter your students’ projects.

Call for submissions

California students can submit their media projects in one of seven categories, including fiction and non-fiction film, music, podcasts, photography, and interactive stories like those created with Book Creator

Winners are eligible for prizes, including two $1000 scholarships! Submit your work via Film Freeway.

Submission Due Date: March 31, 2026

Learn more about Book Creator & the entry process

WEBINAR March 11, 2026 6:00pm ET

In this webinar, learn how students can use Book Creator to create and publish interactive, multimedia stories in every subject area and grade level. This webinar is perfect for everyone new to Book Creator, and for existing users who want to see tips and tricks, fresh ideas for making engaging, student-centered, class assignments.

Join the Webinar

WEBINAR March 25, 2026 6:00pm ET

In this webinar: get the details about how to submit student projects to the California Student Media Festival. Event leaders will share logistics, walk you through the entry process, and answer your questions about the event.

Join the Webinar

Why Media Literacy Matters

In today’s digital-first world, being “literate” means more than just reading and writing; it means being able to navigate, analyze, and create media. The CSMF provides a vital platform for students to practice these skills in a real-world context.

By supporting these scholarships, Kami aims to lower the barriers to student voice, and aligns with our mission to provide tools that make learning accessible for every student, and help them tell the story of their learning. Whether students are using Kami to storyboard their next film, write and annotate a script, or collaborate on a multimedia presentation, we are honored to be a part of their creative journey.

Need inspiration? Check out these resources for using multimedia story projects for learning.

Using Book Creator for Inquiry-Based Learning

Podcasting for the Classroom

Living History: Video Documentary Projects for the Classroom

Book Creator for the High School Classroom

Resources

Read the CSMF press release

What is Book Creator?

What is Kami?

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