There’s no shortage of ways to “connect” in London, but finding something real can feel a lot harder. That’s exactly what Friend of Dorothy is looking to change, with a special one-night event that brings people together properly, in the same room, with something worth talking about.
On 14th May, they’re taking over Clapham Picturehouse for a screening of the Oscar-nominated short film A Friend of Dorothy, followed by a live conversation with the film’s director Lee Knight, hosted by journalist Jamie Tabberer.
This isn’t just a film night. It’s part of a wider push to tackle something a lot of people don’t talk about enough: loneliness in the gay community.
Friend of Dorothy was set up with that in mind. Founder Oliver James built the brand off his own experience of living in a big city, surrounded by people, but still feeling disconnected. The idea here is simple. Create spaces where meeting people doesn’t feel forced, where conversation happens naturally, and where you might actually leave knowing someone new.
The film itself fits neatly into that. A Friend of Dorothy is an intimate look at identity, belonging, and what it means to find your people. It doesn’t go big for the sake of it, it stays personal, and that’s what gives it weight. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you, and more importantly, gives you something to talk about afterwards.
Director Lee Knight has built a reputation for telling LGBTQ+ stories that feel grounded and honest, focusing on character over spectacle. This screening gives you a chance to hear directly from him, with a live interview digging into the thinking behind the film, followed by an open Q&A where the audience gets involved.
The night is co-hosted with Impulse London, who continue to do important work around connection and wellbeing in the community. It adds another layer to the evening, keeping the focus on real-world impact, not just the screen.
More than anything, this is about getting people off their phones and into a space where something might actually happen. A conversation, a connection, maybe even a new friendship. No pressure, just the right kind of setting for it.
Tickets are limited, and this feels like the kind of event that will fill up quickly.
Date/Time: 14th May, 7:00pm
Venue: Clapham Picturehouse
Address: 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT
Nearest Tube: Clapham Common
More info & tickets: here
