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Kristen Stewart Declares ‘State of Emergency’ Over Hollywood’s Gender Backslide

Her Academy Women’s Luncheon keynote tied her struggle to direct The Chronology of Water to studies showing declines for women in film.

Overview

  • Speaking Nov. 4 at the Academy and Chanel Women’s Luncheon in Los Angeles, Stewart said she was “so angry” about a post‑MeToo retreat and called the business “in a state of emergency.”
  • She urged women to reject tokenism and “print (their) own currency,” framing autonomy and solidarity as essential to sustaining female filmmakers.
  • Coverage linked her remarks to recent research, including findings that no woman directed a $100 million‑plus film in 2024 and that female‑led movies hit a 10‑year low.
  • Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter presented the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women to Alina Simone and Marlén Viñayo, highlighting mentorship alongside the calls for change.
  • Stewart’s feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, is due for a limited U.S. release in December after a years‑long development.