Overview

• Hardwicke said Summit Entertainment handed her only a mini cupcake to celebrate Twilight’s $408.5 million global haul rather than offering a car or multi-picture deal given to male directors
• She was replaced by male filmmakers for all four Twilight sequels despite the original’s surprise $69 million opening weekend and franchise-defining impact
• Hardwicke condemned the industry’s reluctance to hire more women directors, calling it an “earth-shattering reality” that limits career opportunities
• Her direction of Twilight and other early projects launched the careers of stars including Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac, Jeremy Renner and Evan Rachel Wood
• Her upcoming film Street Smart is in post-production and follows homeless teenagers in Los Angeles, addressing President Donald Trump’s cuts to welfare budgets and DEI rollbacks