Woody Harrelson Boards First Short Film As EP; Watch ‘Mary The Widow’ Starring Julie Ariola & Stephen Tobolowsky
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.
In short
- 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.
Explained simply
Short films tell a complete story in a brief running time, and can be made for festivals, online audiences or awards campaigns. An executive producer typically supports a project’s financing or production, though the title does not by itself describe their day-to-day role.
Here, Julie Ariola plays Mary, a widow encouraged by her daughter to try speed dating, while Stephen Tobolowsky plays Ed, one of the people she meets. Writer-director Ryan Noufer has said his late grandmother’s experience with Alzheimer’s informed the story’s treatment of memory and family relationships.
Switchboard is distributing the film and including it in its slate of shorts being put forward for the 2026–27 Academy Awards. The story touches on companionship and bereavement in later life, subjects that can shape how people rebuild relationships after loss.
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