A Friend of Dorothy (2025)
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An unlikely, poignant bond forms between a lonely widow and a teenage neighbor over their shared solitude.
The story
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.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
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.
- First release year
- 2025
- Runtime (minutes)
- 21
- Production countries
- United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Lee Knight
- Writers
- Lee Knight · writer
- Cast and characters
- Miriam Margolyes · Dorothy Woodley; Stephen Fry · Dickie; Alistair Nwachukwu · JJ; Oscar Lloyd · Scott Woodley
- Genres
- comedy; drama
- Themes
- loneliness; friendship; acting
- Tone and mood
- poignant; comedy; drama
- Premise and plot tags
- LGBTQ-related; British; short film
- Content notes
- LGBTQ-related
- Reception
- The film was nominated for a Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Live Action Short Film · Academy Awards · 98th · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film premiered at the Raindance Film Festival on 25 June 2025.; It was presented at the Opening Night of the Naples International Film Festival on 23 October 2025.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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