Ryan Coogler accepted the “Director of the Year” award during this year’s Cinemacon, taking the time to speak on his connection to film, both as a creator and a fan.

“I’m honored to be thought of for an award like this, it really means the world to me. I really love making movies, and before I knew I loved making movies, I loved watching them. Some of my earliest memories were me sitting on my dad’s lap at some of the coolest theaters in the Bay area…It’s an amazing, full-circle quality to this.”

Coogler also reminisced about taking his now wife, Zinzi Evans, on their first movie date and hometown Oakland’s habit of talking “to the screen,” when they enjoy a blockbuster flick. Check out the full video above.