KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Youth from across the nation will travel to Kansas City this July to attend FilmFest 4-H, the national 4-H film festival.

Now in its seventh year, FilmFest 4-H brings youth together with working members of the film industry. “It’s a chance to learn and ask questions,” said festival organizer Bradd Anderson, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H youth specialist. “FilmFest is not a convention where you stand in line and pay money for autographs.”

Presenters include writer/producer Morgan Dameron, who just wrapped her first feature film and still works at Bad Robot Productions as an assistant to “Star Wars” producer/director J.J. Abrams, who named “Star Wars” character Poe Dameron after her. Dameron’s other work includes the two most recent “Star Trek” films, “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” and the HBO television series “Westworld.” She will discuss the process of creating and producing films, from independent, crowdfunded projects to major motion pictures.

“Tech-based communication skills are key to youth preparing for jobs that haven’t been invented yet,” said Anderson. “In a more automated future, machines still won’t be able to create and inspire. We want youth to view themselves as producers and not just consumers of digital media.”

FilmFest 4-H, July 23-26, is a program of MU Extension in partnership with the Missouri Film Office and the Kansas City Film Office. Passes cost $129 and are available on the FilmFest 4-H website until June 30. For more information on FilmFest 4-H, visit filmfest4h.org. For the latest news and announcements, search @filmfest4h on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.