A British writer-director has said he is “utterly overwhelmed” after his short film about loneliness and friendship was nominated for an Academy Award. Lee Knight, from Stanmore in Middlesex, received the nod for A Friend of Dorothy, which is in the running for best live action short at the upcoming Oscars.
The 22-minute film stars Miriam Margolyes as Dorothy, an elderly widow whose solitary life changes when a teenager accidentally kicks a football into her garden. The pair strike up an unexpected friendship through a shared love of reading and reciting plays. Alistair Nwachukwu plays the young neighbour JJ, with Oscar Lloyd as Dorothy’s grandson.
Knight, 42, said the story was inspired by his own friendship with Shirley Woodham, a lonely widow who lived next door to him and his husband until her death in 2022 aged 89. “She thought it was hilarious,” he said of her reaction to learning she had inspired a film. “She just laughed her head off.”
The title refers to the coded language historically used by gay people, with Knight explaining that the film is “an ode to the Dorothys in our lives and safe spaces to ‘be ourselves’”. He added that he hoped the nomination would encourage artists who feel their voices are not worthy to keep going. The film is executive produced by Stephen Daldry, who praised Knight’s achievement as “career-defining”.
Supported by Age UK, the film-makers plan to extend its reach to schools and care homes across the country. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Age UK, noted that while Dorothy is fictional, many real older people face extremely lonely existences and may not be lucky enough to meet a friend like JJ.
