Jennifer Lawrence on Empowering Female Filmmakers: Using Her Star Power to Support New Voices

Jennifer Lawrence, widely recognized for her breakout role in The Hunger Games franchise, has firmly established herself as one of the leading female voices of her generation. But as her career evolves, Lawrence is keen to spotlight the importance of women’s roles behind the camera and support emerging talent in the industry.

In a recent interview with Cameron Diaz for Interview magazine, Lawrence reflected on how the landscape has shifted for women in film. “I can’t speak for every woman but there’s this extra gusto,” she said. “You want to prove yourself, and you’ve had to do everything the hard way for a really, really long time. So you’re just used to not being able to ask somebody to do something for you.”

This perspective contrasts with her early experiences auditioning, where she observed a repetitive, closed system: “It was always this recycled pool over and over again. It was kind of like, you have to be successful to get successful. I remember feeling that way getting into filmmaking.”

Now, Lawrence expresses greater faith not just in stories but in the people telling them. She noted, “The harder thing is, ‘We’ve got this great story. Who can direct it?’”

This shift in mindset comes as Lawrence ventures further into production roles. She recently served as a producer on Causeway and is involved with her upcoming film No Hard Feelings, which also marks her return to acting after Causeway. As she steps behind the camera, Lawrence praised the value of directors, particularly newcomers: “First-time directors don’t scare me because I trust my experience, and that empowers us to work with more people that haven’t had the opportunity yet.”

When asked about collaborating with first-time directors on set, Lawrence embraced the role she can play in uplifting new voices: “I can use my movie star-ness for good. You know, anything that the creative process wants, or a first-time director wants, I can just blame it on me.”

No Hard Feelings, co-starring Natalie Morales and Andrew Barth Feldman, is set to hit theaters on June 23, 2023. Lawrence’s commitment to empowering female filmmakers and emerging talent signals a broader change in Hollywood—a movement toward inclusivity, opportunity, and fresh perspectives in storytelling.

As Jennifer Lawrence continues to evolve from celebrated actress to influential producer and advocate, her efforts underscore the growing momentum for women’s empowerment in the film industry, inspiring others to push boundaries and create space for new voices.