A graduate says the support she has received at University gave her the confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a multi-disciplinary filmmaker.
Martine Neang left her family and friends in Cambodia in 2021 to study Global Creative Industries – a brand-new course based in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries at the University of Leeds.
Just four years later, she’s been recognised with the Head of School Award for Outstanding Achievement on the programme.
Despite living thousands of miles from home, Martine found a deep sense of belonging within the University’s creative community.
“We all came together in this creative ecosystem where we could share ideas,” she said. “Our backgrounds were all very different – I had coursemates who wrote or played music – everyone was passionate about their own thing. That exchange of ideas made it really special.”
Sharing experiences
Martine’s debut feature documentary – ‘Roots’ – emerged from iPhone-shot footage of her relatives recounting their experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which claimed nearly two million lives.
“‘Roots’ really emerged organically,” Martine explained. “I didn’t wake up one day wanting to make a feature film. I was filming my relatives’ stories because they survived the Cambodian genocide. I had so much footage, I wanted to make something meaningful out of it.”
The idea to create a feature-length documentary came during her placement year in London. On returning to Leeds, Martine received support from her tutor Dr Sarah Feinstein, who helped her take the project forward.
She said: “When I returned to university, Sarah reached out with an offer to meet and talk about my project. She got really interested in helping me promote it. A few months later, I had a UK premiere at the historic Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds – something I never imagined possible. I’m very grateful for her support.”
Art and AI
University resources also played a key role in bringing her vision to life. Martine accessed Adobe editing software through her internship as a Digital Multimedia Designer and made use of the post-production facilities at learning innovation hub Helix.
Building on her passion for storytelling and identity, Martine also developed a series of innovative workshops as part of her final-year project, exploring belonging through the lens of artificial intelligence (AI).
The workshops were supported by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, which provided funding, equipment and logistical help.
It’s inspiring to hear how Martine has brought her own individual life experience to her studies.
Martine brought together a group of ‘Third Culture Kids’ – individuals who’ve grown up in cultures different from their parents or country of origin – using AI-generated art prompts to explore personal stories and shared experiences.
“AI gave me a medium to explore these stories in a way I couldn’t have done otherwise”, she explained. “Creating emerging art together was exciting, but more importantly, it fostered a sense of community for people who often feel they don’t belong anywhere.”
“It was beautiful to witness – the AI was really just an excuse to bring people together. By the end, they had created not only art but also a sense of home with each other.”
Support
Martine credits her tutors for giving students the space and support to develop their own practice. She said: “They really knew us – not just by name, but our backgrounds and passions too. I don’t think any of my projects would’ve had the same impact without their support. The PCI community has been transformative.
“My tutors have become like good friends. We meet for coffee, and their passion for student education is clear. They don’t just inspire me – they’re inspired by what I have to say.”
Martine also reflected that much of her learning happened outside the classroom. “My course didn’t have many contact hours: it was designed for us to complete independent projects, take on part-time jobs, and volunteer. The tutors were great at sharing opportunities and encouraging us to get involved.”
Professor Kenneth McDowall, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Education and Experience, said: “It’s inspiring to hear how Martine has brought her own individual life experience to her studies and created something that is both personal and universal. We’re lucky to have a wonderful global community on campus with incredible stories to share.
“Martine is an excellent example of a student making the most of her experience at Leeds. She’s used our fantastic resources, such as the cutting-edge innovation hub Helix, to maximise her potential and transform her ideas into superb pieces of work.”
Martine’s parents travelled across the world to watch her graduate on July 25th. She was excited for them to see campus and meet her tutors, adding: “After all, they were the stars of ‘Roots’!”
Further information
Pic credit: Martine Neang
For further information, please contact Communications and Engagement Assistant Tom Vegeris on t.vegeris@leeds.ac.uk.