Overview
- Calling Hollywood’s regression “statistically devastating,” Stewart said too few recent films were made by women and described the industry as “a boys’ club” that tokenizes them.
- She urged women to “print our own currency,” delivered her remarks with palpable anger—“I can eat this podium with a fork and f—ing knife”—and received multiple rounds of applause.
- Coverage paired her message with studies showing setbacks, including no women directing $100 million-plus films in 2024, a 10-year low for female-led movies, and women comprising 24% of key behind-the-scenes roles on top-grossing films.
- The luncheon also honored the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, with Ruth E. Carter presenting awards to Alina Simone and Marlén Viñayo and emphasizing mentorship as a bridge to opportunity.
- Stewart’s critique comes as she rolls out her feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water—an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir—which faced years of development and is set for a limited North American release in December.