Renée Zellweger Just Made a Movie — and It’s Nothing Like You’d Expect

The face behind Bridget Jones, Judy Garland, and a few rom-coms that still live rent-free in our heads (“Jerry Maguire,” anyone?) just added a new title to her resume: filmmaker. Yep, we’re talking about Renée Zellweger. And she’s not easing into it either; her directorial debut is headed to the 2025 Edinburgh International Film Festival, making its world premiere in front of one of the most film-savvy audiences around.

The animated short, called “They,” is a tight nine minutes and marks Zellweger’s first outing behind the camera. And before you assume it’s all quirky vibes and diary entries, think again. This one is supposed to be packed with environmental themes, emotional weight, and a little bit of chaos in the name of peace. So yeah, we’re curious.

A Short Film with Big Impact

“They” isn’t just a vanity project quietly slipped into the schedule. According to The BBC, festival director Paul Ridd said Zellweger’s team actually reached out to them first; and they “fell in love” with the film. He added that the film was “a beautiful animation” and it was “so interesting for someone so iconic for her film roles, turning her hand to filmmaking.” High praise for a debut, especially from a fest that’s been around since the ‘40s.

EIFF (Edinburgh International Film Festival)

It’ll screen on specific dates when the festival runs August 14-20, across multiple venues, including the newly revived Filmhouse. And while nine minutes might not sound like much, the buzz says Zellweger managed to pack a surprising emotional punch into that short runtime.

EIFF’s description lists the project in the “Animation Shorts” category, while the synopsis says, “As the world reaches peak negativity, our hero’s plot for peace backfires with drastic consequences.” Classic setup for animated storytelling, sure; but coming from someone whose career has largely lived in the live-action world? That’s a twist we didn’t see coming.

Zellweger Isn’t the Only One Making a Comeback

The festival itself has been in reboot mode, too. After collapsing in 2022 when its parent organization folded, EIFF returned last year with a stripped-back version. Ridd even told The BBC, “It has been an honour to bring this festival back to life.”

Now, they’re leveling up again: with 43 features on the slate, a Bond retrospective in shiny 4K, and a growing roster of premieres that prove they’re officially back in the conversation. And while, Zellweger’s short might be one of the smallest entries on the schedule, but it’s already one of the most talked about. For a festival looking to re-establish itself, this kind of surprise drop from an Oscar-winner isn’t just a fun headline… it’s a statement.

We can’t wait to see how it all plays out: Zellweger taking creative risks, Edinburgh finding its groove again, and audiences getting something totally unexpected. Nine minutes might not be long, but this one could linger more than most.