Starting her adult life as a rock drummer, Franny Armstrong was diverted from that path by the news that one of the world's largest corporations was suing a postman and a gardener for libel. She began to make the film that would become McLibel, little knowing that it would take ten years to complete. during which time she would be financing and producing it completely independently. The film has now screened on BBC television, as well as on terrestrial stations all over the world, yet its success before that is down to guerilla-style distribution via the web, community screenings and festivals.

She has also made 'Drowned Out', about the fight against the Narmada Dam in India, also independently funded and distributed.