‘Into Film’ are thrilled to announce that Lynwen Brennan, the General Manager and EVP of Lucasfilm - known for its legendary Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, has become the first female Into Film Cymru Ambassador.

In 2016, Lynwen who was educated in Penally VC School, and Tenby’s Greenhill School, before heading to the Royal Holloway University, of London was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her contributions in support of the UK’s visual effects industry. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

She joins a prestigious group of existing Welsh Ambassadors for Into Film that includes Rhys Ifans, Matthew Rhys, Celyn Jones and Michael Sheen.

Ambassadors support Into Film in many ways, from visiting young people in their schools and colleges to supporting annual tent-pole events such as the Into Film Awards and the Into Film Festival.

Having grown up in Pembrokeshire, and gone on to achieve huge success overseeing all businesses of Lucasfilm for 20 years including Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, she is ready 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.

Head of Into Film Cymru, Non Stevens, said:“Into Film Cymru is proud to announce Lynwen Brennan as its new Ambassador. We aim to use Lynwen’s story to inspire and empower our young members to believe that they too can aim high. The creative industries is one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy and so it is vital we encourage and promote opportunities for our talented young people to consider a career within that sector in the future”.

Lynwen’s career with Lucasfilm started in 1999 with her role as Technical Area Leader for Lucasfilm’s storied visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic. She rose through the ranks to become President of ILM in 2009. As President, Brennan guided ILM through one of its most successful periods. Under her leadership, ILM expanded its global footprint, opening offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and London; grew its San Francisco studio; and significantly expanded its highly successful Singapore studio. In February 2015 she was promoted to General Manager and EVP of Lucasfilm.

Prior to joining Lucasfilm, Brennan had 10 years of experience in visual effects software development at companies such as Avid Technology and Alias Wavefront. Brennan holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of London. In 2018, she received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Social Sciences), Honoris Causa from Royal Holloway University of London. The award was bestowed upon Lynwen for her outstanding work in the visual effects industry.

“Into Film is doing wonderful work with schools using film in education,” said Lynwen.

“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 added.