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.
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Early life and education
Lighton was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK, on 20 October 1992. He is the son of Sir Thomas Hamilton Lighton of the Lighton baronetcy. Lighton has a twin brother.
He was educated at Eton College, representing the school in the ISFA Cup Final in 2011.
Lighton has an English literature degree from the University of Oxford.
Career
Lighton began making short films whilst studying English literature at the University of Oxford. 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, and a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2017.
His feature film debut, Pillion, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Screenplay. The film was also screened at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.
"50 Shades of BDSM, Wallace & Gromit" was how The Guardian headlined its review of the film. 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."
Personal life
Lighton describes his sexual orientation as gay. He lives in London.
