Dakota Johnson discusses acting’s emotional toll and her production challenges at the Red Sea Film Festival.

Dakota Johnson spoke at the Red Sea International Film Festival about her "love-hate relationship" with acting and producing, citing unethical financiers and the emotional toll of Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes realities as deeply challenging. She described producing as exhausting and exposing her to the industry’s "ugly" side, contrasting it with acting’s more insulated nature. As co-founder of TeaTime Pictures, she has backed female-driven films like *Cha Cha Real Smooth* and *Daddio*, and is set to direct her debut, *A Tree Is Blue*, starring Jessica Alba. She praised the festival’s support for female filmmakers from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, calling it inspiring.