A Friend of Dorothy

A Friend of Dorothy
Promotional poster
Directed byLee Knight
Written byLee Knight
Produced by
  • James Dean
  • Scottie Fotré
  • Max Marlow
Starring
CinematographyVanessa Whyte BSC
Edited byPhil Hookway
Music byStuart Hancock
Production
companies
  • Filthy Gorgeous Productions
  • A Marlow's Production
  • Double Dice Films
  • Namesake Films
Release date
Running time
21 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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.[1][2]

It had its premiere in Shorts films at the Raindance Film Festival on 25 June 2025.[3]

It was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.[4]

Summary

Dorothy, an elderly widow whose health is declining but whose mind remains sharp, lives a quiet and solitary life. Her routine is unexpectedly disrupted when 17‑year‑old JJ sends a football into her garden, leading to an unexpected connection between them. Despite their differences in age and circumstance, the two gradually form a meaningful friendship and discover unexpected common ground.[5]

Cast

Release

A Friend of Dorothy was screened in Shorts films at the Raindance Film Festival on 25 June 2025.[3]

It was presented for its East Coast Premiere in the Naples International Film Festival as opening night short film on 23 October 2025.[6]

The film was screened at the Coronado Island Film Festival on 9 November 2025.[7]

It was presented in the HollyShorts Film Festival London 2025 in November 2025.[8]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Raindance Film Festival 27 June 2025 Best UK Short Film A Friend of Dorothy Nominated [9]
Odense International Film Festival 31 August 2025 Audience Award Won [10]
New Renaissance Film Festival 28 September 2025 Emerging Talent Award Won [11]
HollyShorts Film Festival 17 November 2025 Best Drama Presented by Le Kool Champagne Won [12]
Academy Awards 15 March 2026 Best Live Action Short Film Pending [4][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "A Friend of Dorothy". British Council. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  2. ^ Cormack, Morgan (20 May 2025). "Stephen Fry, Miriam Margolyes and more in first look at A Friend of Dorothy". RadioTimes. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b "A Friend of Dorothy". Raindance Film Festival Cine. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  4. ^ a b "The 98th Academy Awards | (2026)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  5. ^ Alberge, Dalya (25 January 2026). "'Utterly overwhelmed': British writer-director's short film earns Oscar nod". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  6. ^ Matthew, Carey (13 October 2025). "Naples Int'l Film Festival Announces Full Slate, From Narrative 'On A String' To "Colorful Documentary" On 'The Pantone Guy'". Deadline. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  7. ^ "A Friend of Dorothy". Coronado Island Film Festival. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Announcing HollyShorts London 2025 Official Selections". HollyShorts Film Festival. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  9. ^ "A Friend of Dorothy - 33rd Raindance Film Festival". Raindance Film Festival. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  10. ^ "The winners of OFF25 have been announced!". Odense International Film Festival. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Winners". New Renaissance Film Festival. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Celebrating 2nd Annual HollyShorts London Award Winners". HollyShorts Film Festival. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  13. ^ Lewis, Hilary (22 January 2026). "Oscars: Full List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
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