Libby Jennings

Trainee Multimedia Journalist at NCTJ accredited News Associates. Articles written for South West Londoner and The Indiependent. Volunteer at Riverside Radio.

Articles

The Indiependent •

Travelling Alone as a Woman in 2025 America

Solo travel for women has always carried unique challenges but in America in 2025, those challenges are compounded not only by concerns about physical safety but by ideological divides. Yet for all its complexities, the U.S. remains a compelling destination, known for its vast landscapes and iconic cities that many dream of ticking off their bucket list at least once.For many women, the desire for freedom and autonomy motivates solo travel. San Francisco, with its longstanding reputation as a pr...
The Indiependent •

What ‘The Muppets’ Tells Us About Saying Goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D

In the 2011 film The Muppets, Walter, a lifelong Muppets superfan (and Muppet), travels to Los Angeles with his (human) brother Gary, only to find the old Muppet Studios abandoned and on the verge of demolition. With a greedy oil tycoon eager to bulldoze the theatre, the brothers help reunite the long-dispersed Muppets for one last show to raise money to save their theatre (which may or may not involve kidnapping Jack Black).Over in Hollywood Studios, life echoed fiction. For the attraction’s fi...
The Indiependent •

Witch Tourism in Salem: America’s Spookiest Summer Escape

When people think of a witch, they often picture a green-skinned, wart-nosed hag with a black cat for company — a caricature shaped by pop culture. The reality is,  victims of witch trials weren’t fairy-tale villains, but real women and men who simply didn’t fit into society’s status quo.Salem, Massachusetts, draws visitors worldwide with its dark history and vibrant modern-day celebrations. Among these is Summerween, a summer version of Halloween, made by the Disney series Gravity Falls, that h...
South West Londoner •

Transgender communities react to Supreme Court ruling

Transgender communities were left distraught at the UK Supreme Court ruling stating the term ‘woman’ refers specifically to biological sex under the Equality Act 2010.


The case arose after the Scottish government attempted to expand the legal definition of ‘woman’ to include trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). 


The ruling drew mixed responses. For Women Scotland, a group which brought the legal challenge, welcoming the decision, but transgender rights campaigners hit o...
South West Londoner •

Cocktail bar aims to revitalise London's declining nightlife scene

London’s nightlife is ever-evolving, but one Finsbury venue which opened in November is quickly making its mark in a crowded market.


The 1 Bar, located at 18 Appold Street, promises a fresh take on after-work experiences by merging crafted cocktails with daily live music performances.


Securing the perfect venue took 14 months, as large landlords were hesitant to take a chance on an emerging brand. However, perseverance and belief in the concept paid off.


The 1 Bar owner Dimitar Petkanov...
South West Londoner •

Review: Does serial killer exhibition cross line into sensationalism?

In the shadowy depths of The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, Serial Killer: The Exhibition brings an unnerving yet captivating exploration into the dark corners of criminal minds.


This exhibition delves into the behavioural patterns of notorious murderers, showcasing their memorabilia and offering interactive elements like virtual reality experiences, and upon entering, the eerie atmosphere sets the tone for the disturbing stories ahead.


The exhibition features an array of items from infa...
The Londoners •

Londoners magazine including news, health, sport and Christmas

The 2024 Londoners winter magazine is here!


In it, we cover news, sports, culture, health and Christmas stories from all over the city.


Take a look at our story exploring the importance of girlguiding and how it helps women and young girls.


In culture, have a read about the experiences of contestants who seek romance at the DateinaDash Squid Games night. Don’t worry, nobody dies!


On the topic of health, this magazine explores the rise of Ozempic, as well as the impact of miscarriages...
South West Londoner •

Transgender Awareness Week highlights healthcare needs

Transgender Awareness week takes place each year between 13-19 November, celebrates progress while highlighting ongoing challenges, particularly in healthcare, where transgender and non-binary individuals face significant barriers to care.


TransActual, founded in 2017, advocates for trans and non-binary people’s rights, focusing on healthcare, legal protections, and media representation. 


Jane Fae, the director of communications at TransActual empathised that the community’s primary concer...
South West Londoner •

Review: 'The Last Front' is more than just a war film

The Last Front takes audiences on a deeply human journey through the ravages of World War One, guided by Iain Glen’s powerful portrayal of Leonard Lambert, a simple farmer-turned-leader. 


Directed by Julien Kerknawi, the film stands out for its fresh perspective, delivering a strong anti-war message that focuses on the human cost of conflict rather than the battles themselves.


As Glen pointed out at the premiere, it’s not just a war film, it’s a story about the devastating consequences of...
The Indiependent •

The Future of 3D Cinema: Revival or Obscurity?

Recently, a remastered 3D version of Coraline hit cinemas for its 15th anniversary, and unsurprisingly, the seats were filled mostly with adults rather than the film’s intended audience of children. This can be attributed to the strong sense of nostalgia that Coraline holds for those who were once, and perhaps still are, terrified of the “Other Mother.” The decision to release it in 3D seemed to capitalise on that nostalgia, offering a new visual experience that allowed audiences to relive the t...
Team GB •

Emma Wilson wins first sailing medal of Paris 2024 with bronze | Team GB

Emma Wilson won Team GB’s first medal in sailing at Paris 2024 after claiming bronze in the women’s iQFOiL.

The British sailor was guaranteed a medal in the three-person final after dominating the opening series off the Marseille coast.

Italy's Marta Maggetti won gold and Israel's Sharon Kantor took silver after the pair both tacked earlier than Wilson after rounding the bottom gate, a decision that she believes allowed them to make further gains.

And with another Olympic medal, claiming bron...
The Indiependent •

How 'Love, Simon' Redefined LGBTQ+ Representation In Cinema

As Pride Month’s celebrations come to a close, it’s important to recognise films that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all year round. One standout example is the 2018 box-office hit Love, Simon, notable for being the first major studio coming-of-age film with a gay male lead character. This groundbreaking film not only captured the hearts of audiences but also marked a significant milestone in Hollywood’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ stories by setting a precedent for inclusivity.


For those who haven’t...
The Indiependent •

How ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ Saved Disney Animation

In the latest instalment of our ‘Changed Film Forever’ series, Libby Jennings tells the story of Disney’s lesser-known mouse: Basil of Baker Street.

The Great Mouse Detective (1986) is an often-overlooked Disney classic, but behind the scenes, it is recognised as the film that saved Disney.

Disney had struggled with animation since 1940, when Pinocchio and Fantasia underperformed at the box office and plunged the studio into debt.

It took a decade for Disney to regain its animation reputation
The Indiependent •

EA Forms New ‘The Sims 4’ Team Dedicated To Improving The “Core Game Experience”

Electronic Arts (EA) has formed a team to invest in the The Sims 4 “core game experience” after years of reported technical difficulties from players.

The developers acknowledged players’ frustrations within the game and pledged to tackle the reported concerns by increasing the number and frequency of fixes.

Players can expect new patches every two months, starting with one at the end of this month.

The official announcement states that EA will optimise memory usage to minimise crashes, impro
South West Londoner •

Eurovision interviews: In conversation with hosts Sweden, Moldova and Latvia

Eurovision contestants came together to perform their songs in London before the big day in Malmö on 11 May.

The London Eurovision Party is an annual event which was held this year near Tottenham Court Road, offering audiences a preview of contestants’ songs and providing acts with an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.

It is also one of the rare opportunities Eurovision fans get to see the majority of the contestants before the contest, with semi-finals starting on 7 May.

For
The Indiependent •

How ‘Coraline’ Paved The Way For A New Age Of Stop-Motion Animation

This much revered—and sometimes feared—film was the first of its kind, using 3D printing technology alongside classic stop motion techniques. Using new animation techniques was a challenge from the start.

According to Coraline’s lead animator Travis Knight, Laika initially struggled with pitching Coraline at the beginning due to its stop-motion nature, which was deemed ‘non-commercial’ due to the increasing popularity of computer-animated films.

Coraline’s producer, Bill Mechanic, originally w
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