AceShowbiz - UK filmmaker Harry Lighton, notable for his debut feature Pillion which gained attention at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, has been selected as one of six emerging directors for the upcoming 51st edition of the Cannes Film Festival's prestigious La Résidence program.

The program, designed to nurture promising filmmakers, will run from March 16 to July 31, 2026. Alongside Lighton, the cohort includes Emma Branderhorst, Joecar Hanna, Saulé Bliuvaité, Mansi Maheshwari, and Oliver McGoldrick.

Participation in La Résidence offers an invaluable opportunity for creative focus and development. Lighton expressed his enthusiasm about the chance to dedicate five months exclusively to writing his next screenplay while based in Paris. He highlighted the excitement of joining a community of fellow filmmakers and the unique experience of working in such an inspiring environment.

The program is renowned for supporting new voices in cinema, providing them with resources and mentorship to advance their projects. For Lighton, this residency marks an important step in his career following the success of Pillion at Cannes, offering time and space to develop his upcoming work.

The La Résidence program continues to be a highlight of the Cannes Film Festival’s commitment to fostering emerging talent within the global film industry.