Fact Not Fiction Films has confirmed that its latest short film A Girl Called Alice, has moved into post-production following principal photography on location in London and West Sussex.
The fifteen minute thriller confronts the sharp rise in mobile phone theft across the capital and is set to be submitted to international film festivals this year.
Set against the backdrop of a surge in street phone snatching, with more than 124,000 devices estimated to have been stolen in London last year, the story follows a young woman known for her skill as a phone thief. When she is challenged by a notorious gang leader to prove just how capable she really is, the stakes escalate rapidly, forcing her to question whether the decision is worth the risk.
The production is backed by Crimestoppers and supported by EE with cameras and lenses supplied by Canon. Through its partnership, Crimestoppers is encouraging members of the public to report information about phone theft anonymously via its charity channels.
The film stars Antonio Aakeel as Tariq, opposite Tegan Grace Muggeridge in the title role. Aakeel is recognised for his performances in the Apple TV series Slow Horses, the Tomb Raider reboot, the Netflix thriller I Came By, and the award winning feature Eaten by Lions. He was previously named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and received the EE ACTA Award for Best Emerging Artist presented by Arts Council England.
Muggeridge, who also co-wrote the screenplay, reunites with Fact Not Fiction Films following previous collaborations on Aguska alongside Simon Callow and A Swiped Illusion, which she directed. Her performance anchors the film’s emotional core, bringing depth to a character shaped by the realities of street crime. The cast also includes Tomi May, Steven Cooke, Ilayda Green, Wayne Edge, Rita Ramnani, and younger performers Skye Kilgallon, Caitlan Muggeridge and Georgiana Spencer.
Direction and production are led by Tristan Loraine, continuing Fact Not Fiction Films’ mission of creating compelling and socially driven narratives. Established in 2006, Fact Not Fiction Films has built a reputation for issue based filmmaking, with previous works addressing dementia, mental health, identity theft and other contemporary concerns. Recent feature documentaries premiered at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival to strong critical response.
The creative team brings together emerging and established talent. Composer Emma Fitzherbert, a First Class Honours graduate in Music from the University of Southampton, has created an original score designed to reflect the urgency and tension of the subject matter. Senior Assistant Producer Freya Marley is joined by Production Manager Yelena Finnegan and Assistant Producer Imogen Allen. Wardrobe is led by Kiah Michael Harwood, whose background in costume for performance and film supports the production’s grounded and authentic aesthetic.
Shot entirely on location in and around London, the film aims to present a realistic portrayal of the techniques and impact of phone theft, highlighting not only financial loss but the personal consequences for victims whose private data and sense of safety are compromised.
A Girl Called Alice is preparing for submission to festivals worldwide while also forming part of a wider awareness initiative focused on mobile phone safety.
