CSU Summer Arts established the Media Arts Festival in 1991 to give talented students studying film, video, and new media within the 23-campus California State University system an opportunity to present their work for critical review. In 2000, the Media Arts Festival expanded its mission to include helping students of the CSU bridge the gap between student and working professional.

In an effort to realize its expanded mission, the Festival now includes seminars and events geared to helping students of the CSU become better prepared to work in the entertainment and media industries. Industry sponsors have included From the Heart Productions, Electronic Arts, Modern Videofilm, Dreamworks, Kodak, Warner Bros Studios, and the International Cinematographers Guild.

Distinguished CSU professors and industry leaders choose the student finalists and winners in the film, video, and interactive media competition, and all finalist works are screened during the Festival. Cash prizes and the prestigious Rosebud Award are awarded to the winning student entries.

The 2010 Festival saw 131 student entries from which 31 finalists were chosen. Since the Festival’s inception, over 3200 students have submitted entries in this juried competition.