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has long believed in lighting up and motivating fresh talent, and their recent partnership with 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 Khadijah with a real-world filmmaking experience, Tom 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 Khadijah adapted based on available locations, production constraints, and a re-name; To Be Veiled 

With Gusto Film backing the project, Khadijah 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 Khadijah’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 and founder at Gusto Film said:

“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.”

“Tom and his mentee Khadijah formed such a strong mentoring relationship, and it was great to see this blossom over the 16 weeks”. Commented Luca Hussain, senior programme manager at CMN. “Tom was able to help Khadijah find her own style, connect her with other directors to gain advice, and together achieve incredible things in such a short space of time. Having dedicated mentors, like Tom, supporting our mentees is crucial for our work and we’ve loved working with Gusto!” 

“It was a really important opportunity for me because I gained such valuable experience on how to be a director. I really enjoyed it and the outcome was amazing.” Said Khadijah Mahmood, mentee at CMN. "Me and Tom got along very well and he gave me the resources and helpful insight that has pushed my career forward. 

Gusto Film believe in actively nurturing emerging talent and creating tangible opportunities for those seeking a way into the industry. The partnership with CMN is just one example of how they aim to support and uplift the next generation of creative talent.

For more information on Creative Mentor Network, visit: