The mechanisms of the formation of the values of the national culture of modern students are studied, the elements of the educational potential of the “digitized” and real socio-cultural space are considered. The symbols of modern cinema are analyzed. The transformation of the deep meanings of Russian national symbols in Western film production, the acquisition of new symbols in modern Russian animation is noted. Based on the materials of mass questionnaire surveys and content analysis of students’ personal pages in social networks in 2020-2022 the characteristics of social interaction both in the community itself and with the community of teachers are revealed: attitude to interaction with the help of gadgets, changes in the structure of personal contacts in the real world and in social networks, duration and forms of contacts. As a significant factor in the dynamics of digitalization of the culture of the student community, long-term self-isolation during the pandemic is taken into account. The preferences of students in the world and Russian cinematography are revealed. The significant destructive potential of samples of Western film distribution chosen by students, the educational potential of modern Russian cinema are shown. The disappearance of a clear spatial localization of the layers of the actual culture and the emergence of the effect of their collaboration both in form and content are recorded. Conclusions are drawn about the significant role of digital content in the formation of cultural preferences, the value system of modern student youth, community solidarity and the system of community actions. The insufficient role of the community of university teachers in network interaction with students is substantiated, which reduces the possibility of transferring cultural capital between communities.