SEO London: Directors Cut | Charity-Focused Branded Series

Commissioned by SEO London, a charity dedicated to creating pathways into top industries for underrepresented young people, this branded film series explores education, equity, and opportunity through four short documentary-style films:

SEO Schools, SEO Connect, SEO Careers, and The Overview Film.

Each episode captures personal stories of transformation from within the SEO community, blending emotional storytelling with cinematic precision. Directed by Yohan Forbes and produced by Kumo London in collaboration with Preference Studio, the films were shot on location across central London to reflect the charity’s mission through architecture, character and human experience. 

The result is a visually coherent, emotionally intelligent campaign where cinematic language becomes a tool for advocacy. Each frame balances social purpose with craft, showing how visual authorship can amplify social impact.

STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Rather than relying on traditional campaign tropes, The Directors Cut approached charity storytelling through empathy, rhythm, and reflection.

The camera work privileges subtle human gestures, natural light, and ambient sound, allowing emotion to breathe.

Each narrative was structured around trust and access, with the subjects’ own voices guiding story flow rather than scripted exposition.

The campaign was designed for multi-platform delivery (web, social, and events), giving SEO London a sustainable film library that communicates legacy, equity, and hope through cinematic storytelling.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Some stories are best told quietly. Director's Cut wasn’t built for spectacle, it was built for honesty.

It captures young professionals, students, and mentors navigating systemic barriers with grace, vulnerability, and resolve.

For Kumo London, this series demonstrates how branded documentary filmmaking can transcend promotion elevating charity narratives into emotionally resonant, culturally durable pieces of work.

It reflects our belief that purpose and precision can coexist; that stories of inclusion deserve the same cinematic care as commercial campaigns.

SERVICES PROVIDED 

- Branded documentary direction and cinematography

- Multi-location filming and location photography

- Production management and logistical planning

- Interview filming with SEO staff and alumni

- Colour grading and post-production editing

- On-location collaboration with Preference Studio

CREDITS

- Director & DOP: Yohan Forbes

- Assistant Director/ Photographer: Mithin Al-Hadithi

- Camera Operators: Stephen Raynes & Ben Jones

- Produced by: Kumo London

- Client: SEO London

Kumo London partners with charities, brands, family-centred experiences, and cultural institutions to deliver cinematic clarity and fast-turnaround social formats. From creative capture to edit-ready reels, we help you tell stories that parents trust and children remember.

Looking to collaborate with a filmmaker-led team that brings emotional intelligence, visual clarity, and narrative structure to branded campaigns? At Kumo London, we craft stories that don’t just look good, they mean something. If you’re a producer, agency, or brand ready to build work that resonates with depth and purpose, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something that actually moves people.