Active learning can change dreams to success stories, and teens from across the country will soon gather at “FilmFest 4-H” to do just that. Those who enjoy acting, filmmaking, and stagecraft will learn techniques from a unique group of professionals that they are unlikely to find anywhere else. “FilmFest presenters are all involved in different parts of the film industry,” said Bradd Anderson, a Youth Development Specialist with Missouri 4-H, which produces the national film festival with the Missouri Film Office. “If you’re a creative person between the ages of eleven and eighteen, it’s a chance to meet the professionals and learn how to do amazing things on a teenager’s budget.”
The fifth annual “FilmFest 4-H” takes place June 14- 17, in St. Louis, Missouri. Workshops include such topics as prop creation, life as a working actor in Hollywood, improvisation techniques, production success, and much more. Previous years presenters have included the editor of the ABC television series Nashville, a makeup artist from the Star Trek series, an Emmy-winning photojournalist, the extras casting director from Hannah Montana: The Movie, cinematographers working with National Geographic and the Outdoor Channel, and many others.
Participants also have the opportunity to “take a meeting” with the presenters, visiting one-on-one to ask questions and received personalized advice. Equally exciting is the chance to connect with new friends from across the country, who share their technical and artistic interests. “FilmFest 4-H” also features screenings of films made by teen filmmakers, many of whom attend the event. Categories for films this year are Narrative, Animation, Documentary, Promotional and “Voices of 4-H History.” Prizes are awarded to the top films in each category, and the deadline for submissions is May 15, 2015. The 4-H History Preservation Team is again sponsoring the “Voices of 4-H History” Category.
The costs to attend FilmFest 4-H include an all access pass ($119) for each teen and one chaperone, and a hotel room ($119/night at the conference rate). Finally, lunches are provided on Monday and Tuesday as part of the event, but participants are on their own for breakfasts and dinners.
For complete information on “FilmFest 4-H,” please visit http://4h.missouri.edu/filmfest