Experiencing Interruptions?

Sticks and Stones

A group of people with lived-experience of drug and alcohol use share stories of stigma, and challenge the harms caused by stigma and set out to change the narrative.

  • Andrew Bourne
    Director
  • Andrew Bourne
    Writer
  • Toxtech Communications
    Producer
  • Andrew Bourne
    Producer
  • Julie Brown
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Kev Hornsby
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Louise Hickey
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Ste Boylon
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Ian Whiteside
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Darren Hickey
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Lorna Smythe
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Sarah Tootill
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    31 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • White Rose International Film Festival

    United Kingdom
    December 7, 2024
    Festival Premiere
    Runner-up Best Documentary
  • Activists Without Borders Film Festival
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    November 30, 2024
    Finalist
    Social Impact Award 2024
  • Apex Film Festival

    United Kingdom
    October 5, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Sticks and Stones Premiere
    St Helens, Merseyside
    United Kingdom
    September 13, 2024
    Film Premiere
Director Biography - Andrew Bourne

My name is Andy Bourne, and I'm the founder of The 'CGL St Helens Film group', which we established in 2021. The group initially met weekly, and we were set up to support people who were struggling with drug and alcohol issues to develop recovery through creativity.
I am currently studying for my MA in Film and Television at Falmouth University online, and I live and work in Liverpool.
I have recently registered a CIC to work with people with vulnerabilities in accessing film training and opportunities.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The documentary project ‘Sticks and Stones’, was originally a short piece I made with students on my course, and then looked into getting funding to make a film for use educationally as well as for training purposes.

We eventually secured the less than we'd hoped £2K from Public health funding, and used that to buy a used canon camera, and other equipment to start building the group.
The group put together poems, artwork, stories, films, and interviews as part of a St Helens wide campaign to tackle stigma towards people who use drug and alcohol services, and for use in the film.

The campaign aims to involve key people within service provision, within the borough of St Helens, and is led by Commissioners, NHS community/hospital units, Ambulance Service, Council services community, voluntary services/agencies, and Change Grow Live. The campaign seeks to take a borough wide approach to tackling stigma, by presenting a drug and alcohol problem as a health condition, and that people wanting that support are as deserving as anyone else.

We aim to present people who use services as the people, humans, they are. Not the image often portrayed through media, misinformation, ignorance, and fear.

The film is being premiered at Cineworld St Helens alongside the campaign and charter, and we are very proud of what we did in a short time with very limited cash.