Principal photography has wrapped on Sticks & Stones, the debut feature film from DISAUTHORITY Originals, written and directed by Lily Howkins.
A supernatural horror set in late-1990s Britain, Sticks & Stones follows a teenage girl accused of murder during a violent storm, as fear, belief, and institutional power collide. Blending psychological horror with social commentary, the film explores the consequences of ignored testimony and the dangers of collective hysteria.
The film stars Freya Hannan-Mills in the lead role. A rising British talent, Hannan-Mills can be seen in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet alongside Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, and has previously appeared in Here After opposite Connie Britton and Justin Anderson’s Swimming Home. Her recent performances have marked her as one to watch.
She is joined by Lucy Russell (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Dune: Prophecy, The Day of the Jackal), Anna Burnett (Darkest Hour, The Falling), Tristan Sturrock (Doc Martin, Poldark), and Louis Martin (The Sandman, Andor).
Sticks & Stones marks the first feature production from London-based studio DISAUTHORITY Originals. The film is financed by DISAUTHORITY and produced by Maria Shevtsova and Marcus Hundsnes.
Filmed on location across Croydon, London, the production expands on Howkins’ proof-of-concept short Homonym (2025). The feature represents the next step in DISAUTHORITY’s evolution from high-end post-production house to full-fledged independent studio, combining technical precision with bold, director-driven storytelling.
Director Lily Howkins said: “This film has been a long time in the making, and wrapping production feels both surreal and deeply rewarding. The cast and crew brought an extraordinary level of commitment and care to a story that sits in an uncomfortable, emotionally charged space, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve captured.”
Producer Maria Shevtsova added: “Sticks & Stones represents everything we want DISAUTHORITY Originals to stand for — bold, director-driven genre films that have something urgent to say. Watching this story come to life has been an incredibly special experience.”
The filmmakers will be present at the Berlinale to introduce the project, ahead of attending the Cannes Marché to seek international distribution.
Bloody Flicks 