Watch the 2025 shorts “A Friend of Dorothy Short Film.” A powerful, queer coming-of-age story about identity and finding your community.
A Friend of Dorothy Short Film (2025) – Watch the heartfelt LGBTQ+ short film celebrating chosen family, love, and resilience. Emotionally powerful storytelling you won’t forget. “A Friend of Dorothy” is a moving 2025 British short film centered on the touching, unexpected bond that forms between an elderly widow and a teenage boy. The film masterfully explores universal themes of isolation and human connection.
The story introduces us to Dorothy (portrayed by BAFTA winner Miriam Margolyes), a lonely widow whose solitude is broken by a chance event: a football, kicked by a teenager named JJ (Alistair Nwachukwu), lands in her garden. This accidental meeting sparks a profound friendship.
They discover common ground, offering each other support through personal struggles. Dorothy finds much-needed companionship in JJ, while her encouragement helps JJ to find and pursue his burgeoning passion for acting.
When 17-year-old JJ’s football accidentally lands in elderly Dorothy’s garden, it kicks off an unlikely intergenerational friendship that transforms both their lives. Dorothy (a lonely widow whose body is failing but mind remains sharp) and JJ bond over their shared love of art and literature—particularly theater plays.
She introduces him to works like Matthew López’s The Inheritance, nurturing his secret passion for acting while he provides companionship and helps with household tasks. It’s a poignant story about chosen family, loneliness, and being truly seen 🥹
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, calling it:
The critically acclaimed short film, “A Friend of Dorothy,” has garnered significant recognition, notably being shortlisted for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Its success extends to film festivals, where it secured the Best Drama accolade at HollyShorts London, among other awards.
This touching story is now accessible to a wider audience, as it is available for streaming on Disney+ across the UK and Europe.
The film was inspired by director Lee Knight’s real-life friendship with his late neighbor. It’s been praised for its gentle humor, emotional depth, and lack of sentimentality while tackling serious themes. Many viewers say they cried happy tears and felt deeply moved by the portrayal of how art and genuine connection can transcend age, loneliness, and societal expectations 🎭❤️
Bottom line: If you love stories about unlikely friendships, brilliant acting (especially from national treasure Miriam Margolyes!), and films that celebrate queer identity and intergenerational bonds, IMDb this 21-minute gem is essential viewing! 🎬✨
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