Kristen Stewart, one of Hollywood’s most outspoken and fearless voices, has called out the film industry for what she describes as a shocking regression in opportunities for women filmmakers — saying that the brief progress made in the years following the #MeToo movement has all but vanished.
The Twilight star, who recently tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Dylan Meyer in a private ceremony on Easter Sunday, delivered a passionate keynote speech at the Academy and Chanel’s Women’s Luncheon in Los Angeles this week. Her words were fiery, emotional, and deeply honest — reflecting both her frustration and her unyielding hope for change.
🎬 “A Pitiful Number of Films Were Made by Women Last Year”
Addressing a packed room of industry professionals, Stewart didn’t hold back as she condemned Hollywood’s backslide on gender equality.
“In a post-MeToo moment, it seemed possible that stories made by and for women were finally getting their due — that we might be allowed or even encouraged to express ourselves and our shared experiences without filter,” she said. “But I can now attest to the bare-knuckle brawling that it takes every step of the way when the content is too dark, too taboo, when the frankness with which it serves up observations about experiences routinely experienced by women frequently provokes disgust and rejection.”
Stewart highlighted the alarming drop in female-directed films, calling the statistics “devastating.”
“The backsliding from a brief moment of progress is statistically devastating. It is devastating. Such a pitiful number of films from the past year have been made by women,” she said. “We obviously need many more women’s luncheons in our lives. We need to become ladies who lunch all the f***ing time.”
💢 “I’m So Angry” — Stewart on the Silence Women Face
In her signature raw, unfiltered style, Stewart spoke candidly about her emotions — joking about being in a “severe state of PMS,” before turning serious about the anger and exhaustion that comes with being silenced.
“We can discuss wage gaps and taxes on tampons and measure inequality in lots of quantifiable ways,” she continued, “but the violence of silencing — it’s like we’re not even supposed to be angry. But I can eat this podium with a fork and f***ing knife. I’m so angry.”
Her remarks drew a mix of laughter, applause, and visible emotion from attendees, many of whom have faced the same uphill battles she described.
👩💼 “Our Business Is in a State of Emergency”
Stewart concluded her keynote with an emotional plea for unity among women in film, acknowledging how isolating the industry can feel for female creatives.
“There are too few of us,” she said. “We’re all here together now, and it seems like there’s a lot — Jesus Christ, there’s not. It’s not our fault. Our business is in a state of emergency, man. And you know the last thing that I wanna do here is lose the celebration under a pile of pissed off rubble.”
Despite her anger, Stewart urged women to continue taking pride in their work and supporting each other.
“We are allowed to be proud of ourselves and to allow each other to reclaim the gratitude we’ve all become talented at performing — and really taste it from the inside out.”
🎥 On the Work Front
While Stewart continues to push for industry reform, her own creative slate remains as bold as ever. She’s set to star in two highly anticipated projects:
- Love Me, a cosmic romance opposite Steven Yeun, set for release in 2025.
- Flesh of the Gods, a dark vampire thriller featuring Elizabeth Olsen and Oscar Isaac, which is currently in development.
🧵 Final Words
Kristen Stewart’s words struck a chord — not just because of their passion, but because they reflect a truth many in Hollywood are reluctant to confront. After years of progress, the representation of women behind the camera is again shrinking, and Stewart’s message is a wake-up call.
Her fiery speech reminded everyone that the fight for equality in filmmaking is far from over. As Stewart put it best, “We need to be loud, angry, and unfiltered — because silence has never served us.”
