Kristen Stewart and Harry Lighton Named Directors to Watch
Variety selects Kristen Stewart and Harry Lighton among 2026's directors to watch. They will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Kirsten Stewart directs "The Chronology of Water"
Harry Lighton directs "Pillion"
10 directors recognized this year
Event on January 3, 2026
Includes international and independent filmmakers
Profiles in print edition on December 31
Variety has named Kristen Stewart and Harry Lighton as two of the 2026 Directors to Watch. They are celebrated for their contributions to cinema and will be honored at an upcoming event.
Celebrating Emerging Talent in Filmmaking
This year’s list acknowledges a range of American and international directors, highlighting emerging filmmakers across various budgets and genres. Notable previous honorees include Sean Baker and Chloé Zhao.
The list includes works such as “My Father’s Shadow” and “Happy Birthday,” with several films premiering at festivals. Kristen Stewart’s feature directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water,” is also on the list.
Details of the Honor Ceremony
The selected directors will be recognized at a brunch on January 3 during the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The festival takes place from January 2 to 12 and includes various screenings and events.
Sophia Clarke is a senior international journalist with nine years of experience covering global politics, human rights, and international diplomacy.
She earned her M.A. in International Relations and Journalism from the University of Oxford (2016), where she specialized in global governance, conflict reporting, and cross-cultural communication.
Sophia began her career as a foreign correspondent for BBC World Service and later joined The Guardian, where her insightful analyses and on-the-ground reporting from Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America earned her recognition for accuracy and integrity.
Now based in Paris, France, Sophia contributes to Faharas NET, providing comprehensive coverage of diplomatic affairs, humanitarian issues, and policy developments shaping the international landscape. Her storytelling combines investigative depth, journalistic ethics, and a strong commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in global dialogue.
Variety is the website for Variety, a weekly American entertainment trade magazine that provides authoritative news and Insights, reviews, and analysis on the film TV Music Theater Digital, television, and theater industries.
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