Midwinter Break

Midwinter Break is an upcoming drama film directed by Polly Findlay. The film is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Bernard MacLaverty and follows a couple's trip to Amsterdam stirs up memories of the past.

Midwinter Break
American theatrical release poster
Directed by	Polly Findlay
Written by	Bernard MacLaverty Nick Payne
Based on	Midwinter Break by Bernard MacLaverty
Produced by	Guy Heeley Floor Onrust
Starring	Lesley Manville Ciarán Hinds
Cinematography	Laurie Rose
Edited by	Lucia Zucchetti Stephen O'Connell
Music by	Hannah Peel
Production companies	Shoebox Films Film4 Family Affair Films
Distributed by	Focus Features
Release date	20 February 2026 (2026-02-20) (United States)
Countries	United Kingdom Netherlands
Language	English

The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on 20 February 2026.

Cast

• Lesley Manville as Stella
  • Julie Lamberton as young Stella
• Ciarán Hinds as Gerry
  • Ed Sayer as young Gerry

Production

On September 2017, Film4 acquired the film rights to the 2017 novel Midwinter Break by Bernard MacLaverty, with John Crowley attached to direct, MacLaverty writing the story, and Guy Heeley producing the film under his Shoebox Films production company banner.^[1] On May 2023, Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds were cast in the film, with Polly Findlay replacing Crowley as the new director.^[2] In mid-April of 2024, crews were seen preparing a Christmas-set in and around Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church in Hyndland, Glasgow, with fake snow being placed on the ground outside and Christmas trees being propped up at the altar inside the church. Filming wrapped in Scotland on June of that year, with post-production being underway. Stephen O’Connell and Lucia Zucchetti edited the film.^[3] Hannah Peel composed the score for the film.^[4]

Release

The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on 20 February 2026.^[5]