# 40 Sticks

40 Sticks is a 2020 Kenyan thriller film produced by SensePLAY, a Kenyan audio-visual production house, an arm of Password Ventures Ltd. It premiered on Netflix on November 20, 2020, showing in Africa, US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. 40 Sticks is the fourth Kenyan film to premiere on Netflix in 2020, after Poacher, Sincerely Daisy and Disconnect. The story was created by Frank G. Maina, and written together with Voline Ogutu, and directed by Victor Gatonye.
40 Sticks was executive produced by Anthony Macharia, Lucas Bikedo, Betty M. Mutua and Fakii Liwali.

## Plot

40 Sticks revolves around the story of a group of death row prisoners trapped in a prison bus that crashes, and their struggle to survive. Their misery is worsened by wild animals in the forest and a mysterious killer that lurks in the shadows. The story ends with all the prisoners mysteriously killed.

## Cast

* Robert Agengoas Pablo
* Mwaura Bilal as Biggie
* Cajetan Boy as Reverend
* Andreo Kamau as Mustafa
* Arabron Nyyneque as Amigo
* Shiviske Shivisi as Dakari / Leah
* Xavier Ywaya as Majuju
* Maina wa Ndung'u as Driver
* Mumbi Maina as Martha
* Zawadi Kayyoh as Stacy
* Gerald Langiri as Jacob

## Production

The film is produced by SensePlay in partnership with Film Studios Kenya, Bingi Media and Ogopa Inc. It was shot in Nairobi across 5 locations over a 16-day shoot period in February 2019.

## Nominations and Awards

| Year | Festival | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Lead Actor Film | Robert Agengo | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Feature Film | Sarah Hassan | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Supporting Actor in Film | Cajetan Boy | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Supporting Actor in Film | Arabron Nyyeneque | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Director | Victor Gatonye | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Editor | Edwin Nyongesa | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Sound Design | Lucas Bikedo | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Original Score | Lucas Bikedo | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Production Designer | Siteiya Warui | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Frank Maina, Voline Ogutu | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Lighting Technician | Walter Odhiambo | Winner |
| 2020 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Special Effects | Grace Murema | Winner |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Africa Best Feature Film | | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Africa Best Director | Victor Gatonye | Winner |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Africa Best Producer | Fakii Liwali | Winner |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Africa Best Lead Actor Film | Robert Agengo | Winner |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor Film | Cajetan Boy | Winner |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor Film | Arabron Nyyeneque | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Enos Olik | Nominee |
| 2020 | Kisima Music and Film Awards | Special Award Kenya: Best Feature Film Local | | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Robert Agengo, Mwaura Bilal, Andreo Kamau, Ywaya Xavier | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Arabron Nyyeneque | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Director | Victor Gatonye | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Film | Sarah Hassan | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Screenplay | Frank Maina, Voline Ogutu | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | Enos Olik | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Editing | Edwin Nyongesa | Nominee |
| 2020 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Sound | Lucas Bikedo | Nominee |