Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning won the Golden Hitchcock at the closing ceremony of Dinard British and Irish Film Festival 2026.
Barnard’s Birmingham-set drama won the People’s Choice award in Directors’ Fortnight this year and stars Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew as a group of friends navigating their 30s amid a national housing crisis.
The Hitchcock Award for best performance went to Flora Nicholson and Clare Dunne for The Education Of Jane Cumming, directed by Sophie Heldman. The Berlinale premiere is adapted from Lilian Faderman’s 1983 book Scotch Verdict, set in Edinburgh in 1810 and inspired by true events. Two teachers’ lives are thrown into turmoil after one of their pupils accuses them of having a love affair.
This year’s edition marks the last edition under the artistic direction of Dominique Green, whose fixed tenure has come to an end, having been appointed in 2020. It comes at a time of uncertainty for the festival’s future, as the local mayor’s office assesses the festival’s future amid economic challenges. No replacement for London-based Green has been made.
Dinard 2026 winners
Golden Hitchcock – I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning (UK) dir. Clio Barnard
Hitchcock Award for Best Performance – Flora Nicholson and Clare Dunne, The Education Of Jane Cumming (Ger-Switz-UK)
Special prize – Rose Of Nevada (UK) dir. Mark Jenkin
Audience award (feature) – Skintown (Ire-UK) dir. Kieron J. Walsh
Audience award (short) – Punt (Ire) dir. Nicky Larkin
Talent of tomorrow – Lady (UK-Nigeria) dir. Olive Nwosu
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