Gusto Film partners with Creative Mentor Network to champion emerging talent​

Gusto Film has long believed in lighting up and motivating fresh talent, and their recent partnership with Creative Mentor Network (CMN) is a testament to this commitment. 

Through this collaboration, Creative Director and Founder, Tom Staniford, took on the role of mentor, working closely with his mentee, Khadijah Mahmood, over four months to help her navigate the world of filmmaking and develop her directorial skills.

Khadijah Mahmood, a young aspiring director from Milton Keynes, faced significant barriers to entering the industry. With limited access to professional opportunities and societal expectations challenging her ambitions, the mentorship was not just about career guidance but also about breaking down perceived limitations.

Determined to provide Mahmood with a real-world filmmaking experience, Staniford and the Gusto Film team set up a hands-on project that would take her through the entire production process, from script selection to final edit. They sourced a short film script titled Becoming Unseen, which Mahmood adapted based on available locations, production constraints, and a re-name; To Be Veiled.

With Gusto Film backing the project, Mahmood was placed in the director’s chair, leading a small but dedicated crew in Brighton, near Gusto Films’ Brighton office. The production took place over a weekend, with blocking rehearsals on Saturday, a full shoot on Sunday, and post-production completed at Gusto HQ on Monday. Alongside Tom Staniford as DOP, the team included producer Jasmine Shalkoie, gaffer Zac Thorpe, sound operator Isabel Egan and editor Mitch Hall.

The result is a beautifully crafted short film that showcases Mahmood’s storytelling talent and vision, made possible through a structured and supportive mentorship environment. The experience not only provided her with invaluable hands-on learning but also introduced her to a network of industry professionals who shared insights and guidance along the way.

Tom Staniford, Creative Director & Founder at Gusto Film says:  “Diversity on set is a real issue in our industry, so working with a young Muslim woman, a demographic we see so little of on set, really fired me up to move mountains for her. It was bags of fun working with Khadijah, she was free-flowing with ideas, unapologetically authentic, and her willingness to jump into the deep end opened my eyes to what we could achieve together. And it really was a two-way street, for everything I taught her in production and directing, I’d learn something new about Gen Z and what our industry might look like in the future.”