Kristen Stewart Rips Hollywood for Failing Women Filmmakers in Rousing Speech

In a rousing speech at the Academy and Chanel's Women's Luncheon in Los Angeles on November 3rd, 2025, actress and director Kristen Stewart criticized Hollywood for its lack of progress in supporting women filmmakers.

Stewart, whose feature film directorial debut "The Chronology of Water" is set to premiere next month, expressed her disappointment with the industry's failure to live up to its post-#MeToo promises. She argued that while it seemed possible that stories made by and for women were finally getting their due, the "backsliding from a brief moment of progress is statistically devastating."

Addressing the gathered guests, which included prominent figures like Tessa Thompson, Sarah Paulson, and Patty Jenkins, Stewart lamented the "pitiful number of films from the past year" that have been made by women. She called for more women's luncheons, stating, "We need to become ladies who lunch all the fucking time."

Stewart's speech was met with several rounds of applause as she passionately advocated for authentic representation of women's experiences in the industry. She urged the attendees to reclaim their gratitude and not be "tokenized" by a "boys' club business model."

The luncheon also featured other inspiring moments, including Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter presenting the year's Gold Fellowship for Women recipients.