BARDSTOWN, Ky. – As COVID-19 numbers surged in Nelson County, Kentucky, 4-H extension agents Danielle Hagler and Nicole Howard brainstormed a drive-in movie approach for their county awards ceremony with the local 4-H council.

After coordinating with local health officials, Hagler reached out to University of Missouri Extension state 4-H youth development specialist Bradd Anderson, co-producer of FilmFest 4-H, a national youth film festival. Anderson provided youth-produced films to round out the awards program.

On Oct. 22, a crowd of 90 gathered before a large outdoor screen in Bardstown. Arriving families received prepackaged kettle corn and a socially distanced parking space assignment. After the presentation of awards, attendees enjoyed films created by 4-H'ers from across the U.S., including two films from Missouri: "Hiss," by Eileen Shafer of Jefferson City, and "Poultrygeist," by Kaycie Hollrah of St. Charles.

The drive-in movie approach was a fun way to keep tradition alive during the pandemic, Hagler said. "Families were sending notes of appreciation before they even made it home," she said. "They were extremely grateful for our program thinking outside of the box."

In 2020, FilmFest 4-H screened more than 40 films from talented youths representing 17 state 4-H programs. "This was a great example of 4-H community," Anderson said. "Through their talents, 4-H filmmakers from Indiana, Missouri and Texas helped make the best better at an event in Bardstown, Kentucky!"

Sponsored by the Missouri 4-H Foundation, FilmFest 4-H is a partnership of Missouri 4-H and the Missouri Film Office.

Photo available for this release:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2020/20201102-FF4H-2.jpg
"Hiss" by Eileen Shafer of Cole County 4-H was among the 2020 FilmFest 4-H entries screened at a drive-in-style outdoor 4-H awards program in Bardstown, Ky.