Earlier this month some 130 lucky Into Film Cymru students across Wales, aged between nine and 19 years, were today given the exclusive opportunity to meet with Pembrokeshire-raised Lynwen Brennan, General Manager and Executive Vice-President of legendary film production company, Lucasfilm, in Cardiff and quiz her about her extraordinary career.

Lynwen who was educated in Penally VC School, and Tenby’s Greenhill School, now lives in California, running the day-to-day business of Lucasfilm - responsible for blockbusters like Jurassic Park, Black Panther, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Lynwen flew in to Cardiff to offer some of the most active Into Film Schools in south Wales – arguably the next generation of filmmakers – some valuable insights about her film career, as well as their favourite films.

This was Lynwen Brennan’s first engagement as the newest and first female Into Film Cymru Ambassador. She joins a prestigious group of existing Welsh Ambassadors, including Rhys Ifans, Matthew Rhys, Celyn Jones and Michael Sheen, all of whom support the leading education charity, Into Film Cymru, in putting film at the heart of children and young people’s educational, cultural and personal development.

“Into Film is doing wonderful work with schools using film in education. The tools and programmes they provide inspire kids to tell their own stories and that is incredibly important. I am honoured to become an Ambassador and I am looking forward to the opportunity to amplify the Into Film educational and career program. I hope I can play a part in encouraging all kids to pursue their interests in creative arts and technology and to dream big,” she said.

Head of Into Film Cymru, Non Stevens, explained: “Lynwen Brennan is an inspiration and that’s why we were thrilled that she agreed to be our latest and first female ambassador. These events offer an opportunity for our young people to witness what they too can achieve in the creative industries – one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy in Wales.

“The new curriculum in Wales focuses on six areas of learning and experience. As a charity, we help teachers and schools to deliver these through the power of film. It’s vital we encourage our talented young people to consider a career within the sector in the future. And meeting a Welsh woman, originally from Penally, Pembrokeshire who has risen to the upper echelon of the industry will do just that – after all, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it!”

Through events of this kind, Lynwen is keen to use her experience to inform and inspire the next generation of Welsh film industry professionals; particularly young women who have been historically underrepresented in technical fields of the industry, like visual effects, where Lynwen built a name for herself.

Having realised the extent of this gender imbalance when getting to a higher industry position, Lynwen has made it her “crusade” to bring about change.

Schools interested in learning more about Into Film Cymru can go to: www.intofilm.org.uk