Leonardo DiCaprio Celebrates Cinema as Our Defining Art Form and Gratefully Honors His Mom and Paul Thomas Anderson at NBR Gala

Leonardo DiCaprio’s cinematic journey began at just four years old when he attended a screening of the original King Kong at the historic Vista cinema near his childhood home. The actor recalled experiencing “crying hysterically” at the film’s conclusion. Reflecting on his lifelong relationship with movies during a passionate tribute at the National Board of Review gala, he remarked, “As I kept on watching, something shifted in me.”

He continued, “It was a place to escape my neighborhood. A place where something larger than my own life seemed possible. At some point, each of us sat in a movie theater, the lights went down, and something on that screen rearranged how we saw the world and ourselves. As I became an adult, I began to understand that cinema is our most definitive art form. It expresses what it means to be human.” DiCaprio spoke while accepting the Best Actor Award for One Thing After Another.

The evening celebrated several notable filmmakers, including Paul Thomas Anderson, who received accolades for his crime thriller. Anderson secured the awards for Best Director and Best Film, while Benicio Del Toro was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award and Chase Infiniti received the Breakthrough Performance award. The National Board of Review, a century-old organization of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, professionals, and academics, announced the winners ahead of the gala held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on Wednesday.

DiCaprio graciously thanked Anderson, saying, “I waited 25 years… to make a film like this. That is so topical. So pertinent. About extremism, about divisiveness. That says something about the world we live in. It was an absolute honor and a joyous experience.”

The actor received a warm ovation as he expressed gratitude to his mother, Irmelin Indenbirkin, who was present in the audience. “She believed in me long before there was absolutely any reason to. Driving me to auditions every single day after school. Supporting the dream that started in the theaters… This moment only exists because of you.”

Leonardo DiCaprio thanks his mother in movingly personal speech at the National Board of Review gala. “She believed in me way before there was any reason too,” he said accepting Best Actor Award for One Battle After Another pic.twitter.com/TPT9j10NqP — Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 14, 2026