ABSTRACT The researchers conducted an extensive examination of winning student videos from the California Student Media Festival (CSMF) spanning the years 2009–2023. This content analysis aimed to gauge the quality of these videos and shed light on the diverse participation of schools in the festival. By scrutinizing high-quality videos across different school levels and years, the researchers sought to identify common technical and content factors, particularly those that reflect media and information literacy. The analysis also examined the patterns of participating schools. The analyzed videos not only provided insights into the evolving interests and agendas of students but also showcased their adeptness in embracing emerging technologies and employing a variety of digital tools. Notably, the presence of media assignments and teacher guidance underscored the vital role of school support and instruction in nurturing students’ media production skills. However, the study also revealed that there remains untapped potential for growth in the realm of media literacy education.