HOLLYWOOD - The Filipino animator who co-directed the Oscar-winning film "Inside Out," has revealed how he feels after being recognized at the academy awards.

The 88th Academy Awards was an unforgettable night for Pixar animator Ronnie del Carmen.

"Inside Out," the movie he co-directed won best animated feature.

He was also nominated in best original screenplay, a first for a Filipino in the category. The writers of "Spotlight" took the honor but if "Inside Out" was chosen, he would have been the first Asian to win.

"It means a lot because we just watch the Oscars on TV when I was growing up and we love movies. We just celebrate the fact that these amazing gods and goddesses who are in these movies get to go up there and collect the golden statue. And then for me, coming from the Philippines, to actually be nominated, for one of these? For one thing, being Filipino, it’s only just a dream and when it’s happening, you almost can’t believe it. I’m very lucky," he said.

"Inside Out" has scored a grand slam winning also a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice, and many other honors.

As one of the storytellers of "Inside Out," del Carmen drew from his own experience of moving to America to convey the main character Riley’s feelings about the difficult changes in her life.

"Yung homesickness, yung the fact that you don’t know anything. You don’t know exactly what’s going on. Yung natutunan mo kasi sa Amerika, sa TV at sa movies lang and pagdating mo dito, iba eh," he said.

Del Carmen worked on "Inside Out" for five years. He said that apart from his family he has several other reasons that inspire him to work hard and do his best every day.

"I'm an artist and I aspire to be as good as I can be, and the people that I work with also inspire me to become better everyday. All of those things, you get better everyday. You fail, and then you learn from it. Those are the kind of things that everyday, it feels like small, but in the aggregate, it actually means a lot," he said.

Del Carmen said that while he appreciates all the things he experienced this awards season, he is most comfortable when he’s in front of his computer, working on his latest projects for Pixar.

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