Project Description

Lib Penman inspires Balwearie High School pupils

Independent filmmaker and Balwearie High School alumni, Lib Penman, came to give a talk to S3/S4/S5 Media classes at Balwearie High School in Fife as part of its DYW Fife activities. She talked to pupils about her route into filmmaking and the reality of careers in broadcasting and the film industry.

She also spoke to S2/S3 Geography classes and the schools Eco Group about the threats to Scotland’s habitat and wildlife and what can be done to protect them. She showed her film to our DAS department and held a Q&A session with them.

As a former pupil of Balwearie High School and was contacted via the school’s alumni initiative – Balwearie Connect. This aims to engage with former pupils of the school and asks them to share their career stories and experiences with current students.

She left the school eight years ago, and has become an independent filmmaker, working on projects with well known organisations such as the BBC and Netflix. She recently completed a Masters which allowed her to combine her passion for film and the environment, and she was also part of COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.

The young people and teachers were all captivated by her energy and drive with her enthusiasm and positive delivery. The young people thoroughly enjoyed Lib’s visit and were captivated by her short film she had produced. It really inspired them to ask thoughtful questions.

Lib has allowed us to share her short film with the rest of the school to use within their lessons. She has kindly offered to come back in to school and talk to more classes, should there be further demand.