Jodie Foster says women make movie sets 'healthier'

Director Jodie Foster poses for photographers during a photo call for the Women In Motion talks at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Jodie Foster, one of only two female directors helming a major studio wide-release this summer, says Hollywood's risk aversion is contributing to its overwhelming male directors.

Foster spoke Thursday at a "Women in Motion" talk at the Cannes Film Festival before the premiere of her hostage thriller "Money Monster." She said the industry is "scared, period" and that fearfulness has led to executives choosing familiar, male faces: "You're going to go with the guy that looks like you."

But the two-time Oscar winner, who began as a child actor, said she's seen "faces change" through the years as more and more women began populating film sets.

When women joined productions, Foster said, "everything changed." ''Suddenly it felt more like a family, and movie sets became healthier."