{{Short description|British film director and screenwriter}} {{Use British English|date=October 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox person | image = Harry Lighton on the Green Carpet at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival 05.jpg | caption = Lighton in 2025 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|10|20|df=yes}} | birth_place = Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK | alma_mater = University of Oxford | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter}} | years_active = 2016–present }}
'''Harry Lighton''' (born 20 October 1992) is a British filmmaker. His feature directorial debut, ''Pillion'', premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and won two British Independent Film Awards and a Gotham Independent Film Awards.
== Early life and education == Lighton was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire,<ref name="Dalton">{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/stars-of-tomorrow-2018-harry-lighton-writer/director/5133221.article|work=Screen Daily|title=Stars of Tomorrow 2018: Harry Lighton (writer/director)|first=Ben|last=Dalton|date=4 October 2018|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> England, UK, on 20 October 1992.<ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=Cj76oVuKFRA |user=hlighton |title=30 today. Evolution is a wonderful thing. Keep it up Jambo #growth #twinstagram |first=Harry |last=Lighton |date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Gilbey">{{Cite news |last=Gilbey |first=Ryan |date=November 21, 2025 |title='I think my mum's going to like it': Alexander Skarsgård on his gay biker 'dom-com' Pillion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/21/i-think-my-mums-going-to-like-it-alexander-skarsgard-on-his-gay-biker-dom-com-pillion |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He is the son of Sir Thomas Hamilton Lighton of the Lighton baronetcy.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Charles|editor-last=Mosley|editor-link=Charles Mosley (genealogist)|title=Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage: Clan Chiefs, Scottish Feudal Barons|year=2003|publisher=Burke's Peerage|isbn=0971196621|page=2330}}</ref> Lighton has a twin brother.<ref name="Gilbey"/>
He was educated at Eton College, representing the school in the ISFA Cup Final in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boodles ISFA Cup Final |url=https://www.etoncollege.com/news-and-diary/school-news/boodles-isfa-cup-final/ |website=Eton College |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=21 February 2026 }}</ref>
Lighton has an English literature degree from the University of Oxford.<ref name="Dalton"/>
== Career == Lighton began making short films whilst studying English literature at the University of Oxford.<ref name="Dalton"/> His most noted short film, ''Wren Boys'' (2017), received a British Academy Film Award nomination for Best Short Film at the 71st British Academy Film Awards,<ref name="bafta2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a850139/bafta-film-awards-2018-winners-list/|work=Digital Spy|title=BAFTA Film Awards 2018 winners list in full|first=Rosie|last=Fletcher|date=18 February 2018|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> and a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2017.<ref name="BIFA2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/lady-macbeth-leads-2017-bifas-with-15-nominations/5123786.article|work=Screen Daily|title='Lady Macbeth' leads 2017 BIFAs with 15 nominations"|first=Tom|last=Grater|date=1 November 2017|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
His feature film debut, ''Pillion'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/pillion-director-harry-lighton-on-finding-the-light-in-his-transgressive-queer-drama-i-didnt-want-the-sex-to-feel-like-empty-provocation/5205170.article|work=Screen Daily|title='Pillion' director Harry Lighton on finding the light in his transgressive queer drama: "I didn't want the sex to feel like empty provocation"|first=Charles|last=Gant|date=18 May 2025|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/pillion-review-1236401815/|work=Variety|title='Pillion' Review: Edgy Queer Romance Stars Alexander Skarsgård as a Sexy Biker and Harry Melling as His Budding Submissive|first=Peter|last=Debruge|date=18 May 2025|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> where it won the award for Best Screenplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/chiles-the-mysterious-gaze-of-the-flamingo-wins-top-un-certain-regard-award-at-cannes/5205468.article|work=Screen Daily|title=Chile's 'The Mysterious Gaze Of The Flamingo' wins top Un Certain Regard award at 2025 Cannes Film Festival|first=Orlando|last=Parfitt|date=23 May 2025|access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> The film was also screened at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=Nicholas |title=Playing a motorbike-riding dominant in gay BDSM relationship drama 'Pillion', Alexander Skarsgard is enjoying the ride |url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/playing-a-motorbike-riding-dominant-in-gay-bdsm-relationship-drama-pillion-alexander-skarsgard-is-enjoying-the-ride/5212157.article |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=Screen |language=en}}</ref>
"50 Shades of BDSM, Wallace & Gromit" was how ''The Guardian'' headlined its review of the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2025-05-18 |title=Pillion review – 50 shades of BDSM Wallace and Gromit in brilliant Bromley biker romance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/18/pillion-review-50-shades-of-bsdm-wallace-and-gromit-in-brilliant-bromley-biker-romance |access-date=2026-03-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The director commented in an interview with the German site "queer.de": "I’m thrilled—that’s the most beautiful comparison anyone has ever made. I grew up with Wallace & Gromit, and part of our humor in ''Pillion'' is definitely inspired by it. So, for me, that comparison feels very spot on."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oßwald |first=Dieter |title=Wie kommt der "Legend of Tarzan"-Held in Ihre schwule RomCom, Harry Lighton? |url=https://www.queer.de/detail.php?article_id=57297 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=queer.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>
== Personal life == Lighton describes his sexual orientation as gay.<ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=DOd_2ehDaLT |user=hlighton |title=@telluridefilm you absolute smokeshow Thanks for giving Pillion the best North American premiere a gayboi with a penchant for films and hikes and casual dress codes could dream of. I was so giddy I forgot to sleep and now have tonsillitis but that is but a small price to pay: the pustules will fade, the memories will last forever! |first=Harry |last=Lighton |date=11 September 2025}}</ref> He lives in London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harry Lighton {{!}} Sayle Screen |url=https://saylescreen.com/clients/harry-lighton/ |access-date=2025-11-22 |website=saylescreen.com}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Notes |- | rowspan=2|2016 ! scope="row" | ''Knitlab: XY'' | rowspan=6|Short film |- ! scope="row" | ''Sunday Morning Coming Down'' |- | rowspan=2|2017 ! scope="row" | ''Look at Me'' |- ! scope="row" | ''Wren Boys'' |- | 2018 ! scope="row" | ''Leash'' |- | 2019 ! scope="row" |''Pompeii'' |- | 2025 ! scope="row" |''Pillion'' | Feature film |- |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;" |- ! scope="col"| Award / Festival ! scope="col"| Date of ceremony ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Work ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | BFI London Film Festival | 15 October 2017 | Best Short Film | rowspan="12" | ''Wren Boys'' | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys">{{cite web |url=https://www.try-hard.co.uk/wren-boys-dir-harry-lighton |title=''Wren Boys'', Directed by Harry Lighton |publisher=Try Hard Films |date= |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref><ref name="SXSW 2018">{{cite web |url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2018/contributors/1982053 |title=Harry Lighton |publisher=South by Southwest |date=2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | UK Film Festival |26 November 2017 |Best British Short Film |{{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-13 |title=2017 Awards |url=https://www.ukfilmfestival.com/2017-2/ |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=UK Film Festival |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | British Independent Film Awards | 10 December 2017 | Best British Short Film | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="BIFA2017"/><ref name="GCN 2018-12-20">{{cite news |url=https://gcn.ie/wren-boys-irish-short-movie/ |title=''Wren Boys'': Irish Tradition And Masculinity Violently Clash In Short Movie |first=Guilherme |last=Souza |work=Gay Community News |date=20 December 2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Flickerfest International Short Film Festival | 21 January 2018 | Best International Short Film | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="SXSW 2018"/> |- ! scope="row" | Sundance Film Festival | 27 January 2018 | Short Film Grand Jury Prize | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="SXSW 2018"/><ref name="GCN 2018-12-20"/><ref name="JC 2018-10-10"/> |- ! scope="row" | British Academy Film Awards | 18 February 2018 | Best Short Film | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="GCN 2018-12-20"/><ref name="JC 2018-10-10">{{cite news |url=https://justcelebritymag.com/2018/10/10/harry-lightons-bafta-nominated-wren-boys-wins-oscar-qualifying-award-at-show-me-shorts-in-new-zealand/ |title=Harry Lighton's BAFTA-nominated ''Wren Boys'' wins Oscar-qualifying award at Show Me Shorts in New Zealand |work=Just Celebrity |date=10 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref><ref name="bafta2018"/> |- ! scope="row" | Hong Kong International Film Festival | 5 April 2018 | Golden Firebird Award | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/> |- ! scope="row" | ÉCU European Independent Film Festival | 6 May 2018 | Best European Independent Dramatic Short | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="ÉCU 2018">{{cite web |url=https://ecufilmfestival.com/ecu-2018/winners-2018/ |title=ÉCU 2018 Winners |publisher=ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival |date=April 2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Provincetown International Film Festival | 17 June 2018 | Best Narrative Short | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref name="Ptown 2018">{{Cite press release |url=https://www.provincetownfilm.org/2018/06/provincetown-international-film-festival-announces-2018-winners/ |title=Provincetown International Film Festival Announces 2018 Winners |publisher=Provincetown International Film Festival |date=17 June 2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | {{ill|Fire!! Gay and Lesbian International Film Show|ca|Fire!! Mostra Internacional de Cinema Gai i Lesbià}}<!-- Q24074718 --> | 17 June 2018 | Best Short | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/> |- ! scope="row" | Galway Film Fleadh | 15 July 2018 | Tiernan McBride Award for Best Fiction Short | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/about/archive/previous-award-winners/ |title=Previous Award Winners |publisher=Galway Film Fleadh |date= |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Show Me Shorts | 7 October 2018 | Best International Film | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref name="JC 2018-10-10" /><ref name="Show Me Shorts 2018">{{cite news |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1810/S00083/winners-announced-for-show-me-shorts-film-festival-2018.htm |title=Winners Announced for Show Me Shorts Film Festival 2018 |work=Scoop.co.nz |date=7 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref><ref name="Try Hard: Wren Boys"/> |- ! rowspan="4" scope="row" |Cannes Film Festival | rowspan="4" | 23 May 2025 | {{lang|fr|Un Certain Regard|nocat=y}} Award | rowspan="19" | ''Pillion'' | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="cannes">{{Cite web |date=10 April 2025 |title=The films of the Official Selection 2025 |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/the-films-of-the-official-selection-2025/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Festival de Cannes}}</ref> |- | {{lang|fr|Un Certain Regard}} – Best Screenplay | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite news |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=2025-05-23 |title=Chilean Drama ''The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo'' Wins Top Un Certain Regard Prize — Cannes |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/un-certain-regard-the-mysterious-gaze-of-the-flamingo-1236409662/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=Deadline Hollywood }}</ref> |- | {{lang|fr|Caméra d'Or}} | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="cannes"/> |- | Queer Palm | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |author=Queer Palm |date=9 May 2025 |title=Selection Queer Palm 2025 2/5 |url=https://www.instagram.com/queerpalm/p/DJcAN25M1Fk/?img_index=5 |website=Instagram}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="5" scope="row" | British Independent Film Awards | rowspan="5" | 30 November 2025 | Best British Independent Film | {{Won}} | rowspan="5" align="center" | <ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ford |first1=Lily |last2=Szalai |first2=Georg |date=3 November 2025 |title=British Independent Film Awards: ''My Father's Shadow'' and ''Pillion'' Lead Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bifa-2025-nominations-british-independent-film-awards-list-1236416506/ |access-date=3 November 2025 |work=The Hollywood Reporter }}</ref> |- | Best Director | {{nom}} |- | Best Screenplay | {{nom}} |- | Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director | {{nom}} |- | Best Debut Screenwriter | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | Gotham Independent Film Awards | 1 December 2025 | Best Adapted Screenplay | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |title=Gotham Awards Film Nominations: ''One Battle After Another'' Leads Pack; Multiple Noms For ''If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'', ''It Was Just An Accident'', ''No Other Choice'' |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/2025-gotham-award-nominations-1236599967/ |access-date=October 28, 2025 |work=Deadline |date=October 28, 2025 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Palm Springs International Film Festival | 12 January 2026 | ''Variety''{{'s}} 10 Directors to Watch | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/variety-10-directors-to-watch-2026-1236600023/ |title=''Variety''{{'}}s 10 Directors to Watch for 2026: Kristen Stewart, Harry Lighton and Dave Green Among Honorees |website=Variety |first=Peter |last=Debruge |date=4 December 2025 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | London Film Critics Circle Awards | rowspan="2" | 1 February 2026 | Philip French Award for Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker of the Year | {{won}} | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/12/one-battle-after-london-critics-circle-film-awards-2025-1236648553/ |title=''One Battle After Another'' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations – Full List |first=Zac |last=Ntim |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=15 December 2025 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- | Attenborough Award for British/Irish Film of the Year | {{won}} |- ! scope="row" | Directors Guild of America Awards | 7 February 2026 | Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Feature Debut | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dga.org/awards/annual |title=78th Annual DGA Awards Nominees |publisher=Directors Guild of America Awards |date=8 January 2026 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | British Academy of Film Awards | rowspan="3" |27 February 2026 |Outstanding British Film |{{nom}} | rowspan="3" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |date=2026-01-09 |title=Longlists: 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards |url=https://www.bafta.org/stories/longlists-2026-ee-bafta-film-awards/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=Bafta}}</ref> |- |Outstanding British Debut |{{nom}} |- |Adapted Screenplay |{{nom}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Dorian Awards | rowspan="2" | 3 March 2026 | LGBTQ Film of the Year | {{won}} | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref name="Deadline 2026-01-14">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/variety-10-directors-to-watch-2026-1236600023/ |title=''One Battle'' Leads 2026 Dorian Awards Nominations |first=Tom |last=Tapp |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=14 January 2026 |access-date=25 January 2026 }}</ref> |- | LGBTQ Screenplay of the Year | {{nom}} |}
==See also== * List of British film directors
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lighton, Harry}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century English screenwriters Category:21st-century English male writers Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people Category:English film directors Category:English male screenwriters Category:English LGBTQ screenwriters Category:British LGBTQ film directors Category:Writers from Portsmouth Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford Category:English twins