John Lithgow’s new film, Jimpa, premiered at the International Film Festivals Rotterdam (IFFR) on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the goal of expanding audiences’ understanding of tolerance and empathy. The drama, featuring Lithgow alongside Olivia Colman and Aud Mason-Hyde, centers on themes of queerness and family dynamics.
Set in Amsterdam, Lithgow portrays Jim, who prefers the name Jimpa rather than grandpa, a man who left his family years ago to embrace a free gay life. The story follows Jimpa’s daughter Hannah, played by Colman, her non-binary teen Frances, portrayed by Mason-Hyde, and Hannah’s husband, played by Daniel Henshall, as they visit him and explore the city’s queer community.
Exploring Identity and Family Through Jimpa’s Eyes
As Frances delves into Amsterdam’s queer culture, the film introduces her to characters brought to life by Zoe Love Smith, Hans Kesting, and Romana Vrede. This journey is a catalyst for conversations about acceptance and self-discovery between family members.
John Lithgow described his connection to the project during a panel called Big Talk: A Queen Family Affair at the festival. He expressed his hope that the film would encourage greater empathy, tolerance, and consciousness among viewers.
“You’re very grateful for those opportunities to be in a film like this, which you just feel has the possibility of expanding people’s consciousness, tolerance, acceptance of certain realities – empathetic films.”
– John Lithgow, Actor
Reflecting on his career, Lithgow shared how rare such meaningful projects are to him.
“I’ve had a long career, and I’ve done a lot of jobs, and there have only been five or six that were everything I had hoped for, just in terms of [me being] so proud to be in this film.”
– John Lithgow, Actor
Character Depth and the Importance of Kindness Amid Adversity
Jimpa’s character is inspired by the director Sophie Hyde’s own gay activist father, whose story deeply influenced the film. Lithgow emphasized the importance of portraying Jimpa as a complex but fundamentally kind person, especially in today’s climate of widespread cruelty and abuse of power.
“Jimpa himself is a character who can be unwittingly cruel and thoughtless, but at heart, he’s such a dear man.”
– John Lithgow, Actor
He also praised Olivia Colman for her exceptional acting skills.
“She has such access to her emotional life.”
– John Lithgow, Actor
Additionally, Lithgow expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the Dutch crew and the Australian production team during filming.
“All of us shared the same excitement. … The entire experience was such a party.”
– John Lithgow, Actor
Cast Reflections and Personal Connections behind the Scenes
Dutch actress Romana Vrede spoke fondly of working alongside Lithgow and Colman, highlighting their humility despite their international fame.
“They were just humble and grateful about working with us.”
– Romana Vrede, Actress
At the screening, producer Marleen Slot described Jimpa as a story fundamentally about human connection. Director Sophie Hyde opened up about her own father, who was diagnosed with HIV and passed away when her daughter Aud was only 12 years old.
Hyde expressed a wish that her child and father could have shared their experiences and identities more openly, noting her father was a “very eccentric gay man.”
Film’s Significance in Promoting Empathy and Understanding
Jimpa emerges as a timely film dedicated to challenging social attitudes and fostering compassion for diverse experiences within families and communities. By portraying layered relationships and identity explorations, John Lithgow’s new film adds a hopeful voice encouraging acceptance in a world often marked by intolerance.
The film’s debut at IFFR marks the beginning of its journey to reach wider audiences and inspire meaningful dialogue on queerness, kindness, and the bonds that hold families together despite differences.
