EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-shortlisted live-action short film A Friend of Dorothy has dropped on Disney+. The British-produced short, directed by Lee Knight, is now available on Disney+ in the UK and across Europe. It is an intergenerational tale about an unlikely friendship between the titular Dorothy, an elderly woman living alone, and JJ, her teenage neighbor.
BAFTA-winner Miriam Margolyes stars as Dorothy and Alistair Nwachukwu (Shadow and Bone) plays JJ. Their friendship starts when his football lands in her garden. The story was inspired by a real-life friendship between actor-turned-director Knight, his husband, and their late neighbor. The cast also includes Stephen Fry and Oscar Lloyd.
JJ helps Dorothy with difficult household tasks and provides companionship to his octogenarian neighbor, whose husband has passed away and son lives abroad. Her mercenary grandson is the only family contact she has, and JJ becomes a firm friend. Meanwhile, she encourages him to follow his dreams to be a stage actor through reciting and reading plays.
Knight won the Best Director and the film won the Best Drama accolade at the HollyShorts London event. Billed as “a story about loneliness, connection and unexpected friendship,” the film premiered at Raindance and has since been on a solid festival run. Its release on Disney+ allows it to break out beyond the festival circuit and reach a mainstream audience.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Academy for shortlisting A Friend of Dorothy in the Best Short Film category,” said Knight. “This film speaks to the power of human connection and the importance of feeling seen, regardless of the differences we may perceive between one another. It is deeply encouraging to see stories of companionship, acceptance and authentic living recognized on the global stage.”
The helmer gave Deadline a detailed take on the film back in December. His Filthy Gorgeous Productions banner made the film in association with A Marlow’s Production, Double Dice Films and Namesake Films. James Dean (The Stolen Girl), Scottie Fotré and Max Marlow produced. The roster of exec producers included Stephen Daldry and Sonia Friedman.