Young filmmakers from across the country will soon have yet another way to add to the scope of 4-H history,through the new “Voices of 4-H History” competition category at FilmFest 4-H, the national 4-H film festival. Through late 2012 and early 2013, these teenage filmmakers will be interviewing 4-H alumni, volunteers, staff and supporters, about their personal 4-H experiences. Those efforts meeting the “Voices of 4-H History” guidelines may enter their film at FilmFest 4-H, which takes place during the week of August 5, 2013 in Branson, Missouri.

The festival connects 4-H filmmakers with screenings, events, and technical workshops lead by actual film industry professionals. These youth celebrate successes alongside peers with similar interests, gathering professional feedback and gaining new strategies for improving their future efforts. Importantly, 4-H’ers take their enthusiasm and new skills back to their own state’s 4-H program. “I’ll take what I learned back to my county and help organize a local film club,” wrote one FilmFest participant from Hazard, Kentucky. “I’ll begin work on my own film and help start a local film festival!”

Films selected for viewing at FilmFest 2013 will be reviewed and judged from a field of films received during the April 15-July 15 submission period. Guidelines, including criteria for judging and selection, are being developed by the National 4-H History Team and will be available in November/December, 2012. For more information on FilmFest 4-H, visit the website at http://4h.missouri.edu/filmfest, or click on the link from the history preservation at http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com/voices/

Contact the National 4-H History Preservation team at: info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com

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