Alejandro G. Iñárritu Wins Best Director For ‘The Revenant’ At 2016 Oscars

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams presented the Oscar for best director at the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday. The award went to Alejandro G. Iñárritu for "The Revenant.”

It was Iñárritu’s fourth Oscar and seventh Academy Award nomination. He also won best director last year for “Birdman.”

“Thank you to the academy,” he said once he took the stage. “I can’t believe this is happening. It’s amazing to receive this award tonight.”

Iñárritu went on to thank the “talented and crazy” cast, colleagues and crewmembers of “The Revenant” who made it possible for him to direct the award-winning film. He also gave a special shout-out to star Leonardo DiCaprio, who is nominated for best actor for his part as Hugh Glass in the movie.

“Leo, you are ‘The Revenant,’” Iñárritu said, acknowledging that the 41-year-old actor put his “soul,” “art” and “life” into the movie.