Andrew Haigh earns a BIFA best director nomination for queer drama A Long Winter

British filmmaker Andrew Haigh has received a Best Director nomination at the 2026 British Independent Film Awards for A Long Winter, his latest drama exploring grief, family relationships and queer self-discovery.

The film, starring Fred Hechinger, Kit Connor and Caitríona Balfe, has secured four nominations, recognising Haigh's direction alongside its cinematography, costume design and sound.

The nominations were announced on 3 November, with Haigh competing against Simon Stone, Clio Barnard, Mark Jenkin and Mike Leigh for Best Director.

What Is A Long Winter About?

Set in the Colorado mountains during the 1950s, A Long Winter follows Mike, a young man whose life is disrupted when his mother disappears during the first severe snowstorm of the season.

Fred Hechinger plays Mike, who lives with his father Lester, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and mother Louise, portrayed by Caitríona Balfe.

His brother Tommy, played by Heartstopper star Kit Connor, has joined the army and is preparing to leave for Korea, leaving Mike increasingly isolated within his family.

When Louise disappears, Mike and Lester struggle to maintain their household while confronting the possibility that she may never return. They eventually hire Jimmy, a young local man played by D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, whose arrival brings an unexpected connection into Mike's life.

As their friendship develops, Mike begins confronting feelings he has struggled to understand, including his attraction to Jimmy. The film explores his emerging sexuality against the expectations of his family and the restrictive social attitudes of the period.

Rather than concentrating solely on the mystery surrounding Louise's disappearance, the story examines how loss can expose difficult family relationships while creating opportunities for personal discovery.

Andrew Haigh Returns to LGBTQ+ Storytelling

Haigh has become one of Britain's most recognised filmmakers exploring LGBTQ+ relationships, identity and emotional isolation.

His previous films include Weekend, which examined a developing relationship between two men, and All of Us Strangers, starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal.

Released in 2023, All of Us Strangers explored love, grief and family relationships through the experiences of a gay screenwriter reconnecting with figures from his past.

A Long Winter continues several of those themes while placing its characters in a very different environment. The film adapts a story by Irish writer Colm Tóibín, with Haigh writing the screenplay and directing the production.

Its depiction of Mike's developing feelings for Jimmy places queer identity within a broader story about family expectations, loneliness and finding a place in the world.

Who Stars in A Long Winter?

Alongside Hechinger, Connor and Balfe, the cast includes Ebon Moss-Bachrach, known for The Bear, and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who starred in Reservation Dogs.

Martin Freeman also appears in the film, which was produced as an international collaboration involving British and Canadian companies.

The production was developed with MUBI and supported by Film4, with The Bureau and Nomadic Pictures among the companies involved. A Long Winter premiered at the Telluride Film Festival before screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.

The 117-minute drama has also appeared in the AFI Fest programme, giving international audiences opportunities to see the film ahead of its wider release.

Watch the trailer:

What Has A Long Winter Been Nominated For?

Haigh's Best Director nomination is accompanied by recognition for three members of the film's creative team.

André Turpin is nominated for Best Cinematography, while Carol Case has received a nomination for Best Costume Design. The film is also recognised in the Best Sound category.

The nominations highlight the technical work involved in bringing the isolated mountain setting and period atmosphere to the screen. This year's British Independent Film Awards are led by Elsinore, a separate drama starring Andrew Scott, which has received 12 nominations.

The Best Director category also includes Simon Stone for Elsinore, Clio Barnard for I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, Mark Jenkin for Rose of Nevada and Mike Leigh for Tender Loving Care.

Craft category winners will be announced on 24 November, while the main ceremony takes place at London's Roundhouse on 6 December 2026.

When Will A Long Winter Be Released in the UK?

MUBI is handling the film's UK distribution, although a confirmed release date has not yet been announced.

British audiences have already had an opportunity to see the film through its BFI London Film Festival screenings, but details of a wider cinema release or streaming availability are still awaited.

For viewers familiar with Haigh's previous LGBTQ+ dramas, A Long Winter offers another story exploring identity, relationships and the difficulties of expressing feelings in environments where acceptance cannot be taken for granted.

Further release information is expected from MUBI, with the film's awards recognition bringing additional attention ahead of its wider availability.