# Woody Harrelson Boards First Short Film As EP; Watch ‘Mary The Widow’ Starring Julie Ariola & Stephen Tobolowsky

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/woody-harrelson-boards-first-short-film-as-ep-watch-mary-the-widow-starring-julie-ariola-stephen-tobolowsky/
- Published: 2026-10-30T18:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T18:51:24+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/10/woody-harrelson-first-short-film-ep-mary-the-widow-1237209631/
- Topics: Business, Markets

## Key points

- Woody Harrelson has executive-produced his first short film.
- *Mary the Widow* runs for 14 minutes.
- The film is being campaigned for the 99th Academy Awards.

## Summary

Woody Harrelson has joined *Mary the Widow* as an executive producer, marking his first time backing a short film in that role. The 14-minute live-action drama explores later-life companionship, ageing and loss through a widow who begins dating after her husband’s death.

Julie Ariola plays Mary, whose daughter signs her up for a speed-dating event; Stephen Tobolowsky plays Ed, a gentle, funny man who listens to her. Writer-director Ryan Noufer drew on his late grandmother’s experience with Alzheimer’s, which meant she did not always recognise him. Switchboard will distribute the film and is campaigning it for the 99th Academy Awards as part of its 2026–27 shorts slate.

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