H is for Hawk follows Helen (Claire Foy), who, after the sudden death of her father (Brendan Gleeson), loses herself in the memories of their time birding and exploring the natural world together and turns the ancient art of falconry—rooted in European tradition—training a wild goshawk named Mabel to navigate her profound loss. But as she teaches Mabel to hunt and fly free, Helen discovers how deeply she has neglected her own emotions and life. What begins as an act of endurance transforms into an intimate

The film explores the profound connection between human and animal, the "madness" of grief, and the struggle to reintegrate into society after trauma.

The screenwriters, Emma Donoghue and Philippa Lowthorpe, take Macdonald's personal source material and turn it into a universal love letter about the relationship between fathers and daughters.

The film is based on the 2014 memoir by British author Helen Macdonald. It won the Samuel Johnson Prize and Costa Book of the Year award, among other honours and was in the running for outstanding British film at the 2026 BAFTA’S