Harry Lighton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Film director
- screenwriter
Harry Lighton | |
|---|---|
 Lighton in 2025 | |
| Born | 20 October 1992 |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Occupations |
|
| 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.
Lighton was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire,[1] England, UK, on 20 October 1992.[2][3] He is the son of Sir Thomas Hamilton Lighton of the Lighton baronetcy.[4] Lighton has a twin brother.[3]
He was educated at Eton College, representing the school in the ISFA Cup Final in 2011. [5]
Lighton has an English literature degree from the University of Oxford.[1]
Career
Lighton began making short films whilst studying English literature at the University of Oxford.[1] 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,[6] and a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2017.[7]
His feature film debut, Pillion,[8] premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival,[9] where it won the award for Best Screenplay.[10] The film was also screened at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.[11]
"50 Shades of BDSM, Wallace & Gromit" was how The Guardian headlined its review of the film.[12] 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."[13]
Personal life
Filmography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Knitlab: XY | Short film |
| Sunday Morning Coming Down | ||
| 2017 | Look at Me | |
| Wren Boys | ||
| 2018 | Leash | |
| 2019 | Pompeii | |
| 2025 | Pillion | Feature film |
