A Friend of Dorothy (2025)

A Friend of Dorothy is a 2025 British short comedy drama film written and directed by Lee Knight. The film starring Miriam Margolyes as a lonely widow and Alistair Nwachukwu as a teenage neighbour, depicts an unlikely, poignant bond over shared loneliness.

It had its premiere in Shorts films at the Raindance Film Festival on 25 June 2025.

It was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

Summary

Dorothy, an 87-year-old widow whose health is declining but whose mind remains sharp, lives a quiet and solitary life; her son has moved to the other side of the world and rarely contacts her, and her grandson Scott is distant and patronizing. Her routine is unexpectedly disrupted when 17‑year‑old JJ sends a football into her garden. Dorothy permits him to retrieve the ball on the condition that he help her open a can of her prunes.

While waiting for her to locate her keys, JJ becomes curious in her library of plays, and their ensuing conversation reveals that JJ is interested in becoming an actor, and Dorothy and her late husband had financially supported local theaters and prospective drama students. After JJ moves her with a reading from The Inheritance, Dorothy proposes that he come over daily to assist her and practice his acting, and the two gradually form a meaningful friendship.

After Dorothy passes away, JJ is summoned to the reading of her will, where it is revealed that Dorothy left him her entire collection of plays. Hidden in a copy of a book is a cheque for £50,000, and a note of encouragement from Dorothy to pursue his dream of acting and attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Cast

Miriam Margolyes as Dorothy Woodley

Stephen Fry as Dickie

Alistair Nwachukwu as JJ

Oscar Lloyd as Scott Woodley

Release

A Friend of Dorothy premiered at the Raindance Film Festival on 25 June 2025. It was also presented at the Opening Night of the Naples International Film Festival on 23 October 2025, the Coronado Island Film Festival on 9 November 2025, and HollyShorts London in November 2025.

Accolades

See also

Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film

Submissions for Best Documentary Short Academy Award

Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film

98th Academy Awards

References

External links

A Friend of Dorothy at IMDb