The actress and director Voices Anger Over The Film Industry's Regression for Women

Kristen Stewart has stated she is “furious” that progress for women in Hollywood have gone backwards after a short-lived surge of positive change post the #MeToo era.

The Twilight star, who directed the forthcoming film her latest project, delivered an emotional address at a women’s luncheon in Los Angeles organized by the Academy behind the awards.

“The backsliding from a short period of progress is statistically devastating,” she informed attendees. “A disappointingly low figure of films from the past year have been made by women.”

An annual report that monitors the presence of female filmmakers revealed that 11 of the highest-grossing films of 2024 were directed by women, a decrease from 16 in 2020.

‘Boys’ Club Business Model’

In her address, Stewart said: “After the MeToo movement, it appeared likely that narratives made by and for women were at last receiving recognition. That we could be permitted or even supported to express ourselves and our shared experiences, all of our experiences unfiltered.

“However, I can confirm to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step when the material is too dark, too controversial, when the honesty with which it serves up observations about experiences routinely experienced by women, often elicits disgust and rejection.”

She continued: “We can discuss pay disparities and menstrual product taxes and quantify the imbalance in lots of quantifiable ways. But the act of muting voices, it’s like we’re not allowed to feel rage. But I can eat this podium with a utensil and sharp tool. I’m so angry.”

The guests hearing Stewart’s speech included several prominent actresses.

Stewart received multiple ovations over the course of her brief talk.

“I am thankful to you,” she stated. “I do not thank a male-centric industry framework that claims to desire to hang out with us while siphoning our resources and belittling our true perspectives. We must avoid being used as tokens. It’s time to create our own value.”

Upcoming projects from several female directors are among those for the forthcoming Oscars race, but the best director category is anticipated again to be male in majority.