Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón Orozco was honored as the Best Director for his work in the powerful Gravity. This culminates a career that began as technician in Mexican television moving on to direct A Little Princess (1995), Y Tu Mamá También (2001), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Children of Men (2006), and his latest, Gravity (2013). His fantasy adventure series Believe is due to be broadcast in 2013–2014.

Cuarón was previously nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay for Y Tu Mamá También, and Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing for Children of Men. After a Golden Globe win he’s on the way to his first Oscar nomination as Best Director.

In accepting his award Cuarón said: “Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press and the hundreds of people who made this film possible. And because of my thick accent they end up doing what they thought I said, not what I really said.”

Alfonso Cuaron directs Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in ‘Gravity’

Cuarón also thanked his lead actress Sandra Bullock saying, “You are the most amazing collaborator. I want to thank you for not quitting when you thought I said, ‘Sandra I’m going to give you herpes.’ When what I really meant to say is ‘I’m going to give you an earpiece.’ Thats a true story.”

He went on to thank George Clooney for his ‘generosity and commitment’ and his son Jonas who was a co-writer on the project and his ‘inspiration.’ Of course he finished in spanish with ‘Muchas Gracias a mi mamá!’

Cuarón’s next project, the fantasy adventure series Believe, is due for broadcast this year.