The Phone Call | Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent star in this Oscar® winning short film

See our latest new short, Drifting, starring Gladiator 2's Paul Mescal:

Heather is a shy lady who works in a helpline call center. When she receives a phone call from a mystery man, she has no idea that the encounter will change her life forever.

Directed by Mat Kirkby
Written by Mat Kirkby and James Lucas
Starring Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent, and Edward Hogg

[CarmenCupido]

Sally Hawkins is a brilliant actress and she's been so underestimated until now! I'm glad she has won an oscar!

[awr]

This short film left more of an impression on me than most feature length films. It's amazing that a good script and great actors can make a phone call so compelling.

[nonyabidness]

Her face slowly crumpling as she fights her emotions while keeping her voice calm and sweet is such good acting...

[kevinmachate]

One of the best short films ever made. It definitely deserved the Oscar.

[vivburgess]

Sally Hawkins is so expressive - with Jim Broadbent it's a dream team. Wonderful film.

[lloydrobert]

"Can you just stay there, and talk, and hold my hand?" I burst out crying.

[harrietrondowsky]

A beautiful example of compassion…..Thank you. (This is one of two comments I’ve ever posted during my 71 year old life).

[sharkymama]

Such a powerful short video. I lost my brother 2 years ago he took his life after his wife died from covid, the deep sadness I feel for his loneliness and his desperation will be with me for a very long time. I will always feel guilty that my attention and love for him wasn't enough. All we can do is love them.
1/16/24 I’ve tried to reply to each of you, I guess I don’t know what I’m doing as I see that none of my replies ever posted. So I want to thank you to all of you who responded. Each comment has impacted me, we are all connected in love pain and tragedy. My loss is not unique, I see that now reading your comments I feel less alone . He took his life on Valentine’s Day and as the anniversary day approaches I’ve decided to do something positive and special to remember him, plant a tree or something?
Bless you all may we all find peace and love and most of all understanding as to what brings a person to end their life. It was after all out of our power

[JudithRandall-vzzk]

The man on the phone was an extraordinary actor. Unbelievably natural. I would have thought it was a real call, if I hadn't known it was a film.

[sadikanaim]

You can always depend on the British to give superb 'quality' performances rather than mediocre ' quantity ' ones.
Chapeau to all those involved in the making of this extraordinarily gripping short effect stays with you for a very long time.

[marie-anneneveu]

As an ex Lifeline phone counsellor a few years ago...I can relate to this ...life can become overwhelming for some to cope with changes ....just having a chat with someone can dissipate that one moment to a whole new place even if it is a final one.🙏😇

[blackbird]

In case Americans & other foreigners didn't recognise it, the final scene was in the iconic Soho jazz club mentioned in the phone call: Ronnie Scott's. She took his advice & went there again. 😄

[kimlavery]

Oh my goodness this was absolutely superb - I didn’t move whilst watching and listening to this - I just held the space for both of them - this was stunning - thank you so much for everyone involved - just brilliant!!!

[katiemccready]

This was so beautifully and sensitively done. Both Broadbent and Hawkins are such excellent actors. I agree with everyone about how this short film had more of an emotional impact on me than most long films about similar topics. I had tears rolling down my face by the end. It really shows what an impact a person can have on another in such a short time, and I’m glad they ended this on such a hopeful note.

[garryharriman]

I was very moved and impressed by this short film in equal measure. I was a Samaritan for 10 years (Elgin, Morayshire). The call narrative was very accurate in terms of the diverse myriad of calls one could expect on a shift, including calls such as the one depicted here. Great job!
Garry Harriman
South Carolina

[Aurabora]

I love her voice; so deep and breathy in such a small person. Her voice quality, control and expression is a wonderful asset and a treasure.

[ashaw]

Such a touching film. Mixture of sadness and joy for how she finally starting living and finding human connection. Beautifully done e

[johncranwell]

So many of my clients are older and being married for so many years, often having lost their life partner a few years or so before I first met them….. always happy to do the work. They ask that often all they want to do is to sit in the company of another over a cup of tea, and we heard…. One of my clients and 84-year-old lady. Asked me if I would have her dog if anything happened to her…… I said, of course I’d be delighted…..

The Covid period was difficult for many older generations, living on their own. I met a few who are absolutely desperate. …. Always been happy to share some of my time with them. Bless them.🙏

[cosmicstargazer]

You don't have to be a British film anorak to know how great an actor Sally Hawkins is. I've always found her performances to be compelling, she knows her craft & she intrigues, seemingly without even trying. I love her. Forever. The Way of Water was typical of how she can inhabit a character. She exhibits extraordinary within ordinary in a way I've not seen anybody else do. This won the Academy Award for Best Short Film. Figures.

[camlproductions]

The ending when Joan arrived home was so touching. The most ordinary moments can have extraordinary impacts.