Maori Jewish director, writer and actor Taika Waititi won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 92nd Academy Awards on Feb. 9 for the comedy-drama Jojo Rabbit.

The director dedicated the award to “all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories.” He shouted out to his Jewish mom: “Thank you for giving me the book that I adapted. This film wouldn’t have existed without you doing that.” Waititi’s mom, Robin Cohen, told her son to read Caging Skies by Christine Leunens — the story that Waititi adapted into his film. Jojo Rabbit tells the story of a Hitler youth member, whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler, and who finds out that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic.

Other Jewish moments at the Oscars: Idina Menzel sang the Oscar-nominated “Into the Unknown” from Frozen; Randy Newman performed his Oscar-nominated song from Toy Story 4, “I can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”; and Joker star Joaquin Phoenix won best actor for his performance as Batman’s nemesis.