Director Alejandro González Iñárritu (Maria Gonzalez ’13) will discuss his career in the movie industry as the keynote speaker at the Harvard-Westlake Film Festival on March 15, 2013.

Iñárritu was the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for his film “Babel” in 2006.

His films “21 Grams” and “Biutiful” were also nominated by the Academy. “Babel” also received a nomination for Best Picture.

“He came to a video art class once before and was great so we’ve been trying to get him to come for years. So, we wrote him a letter,” film festival Co-Director Natalie Markiles ’13 said.

Iñárritu was set to come to the Film Festival last year but had to pull out last minute due to a sudden case of appendicitis. Director Benicio Del Toro delivered the keynote speech in his place.

Along with other industry professionals, Iñárritu will teach students about movie-making at an event called the Day After.All the students involved in the winning films will have a chance to discuss their movies and receive professional advice.

“He is a self-made man,” film festival Co-Director Rebecca Moretti ’13 said. “He relates to these students and can give them advice. He is very charismatic and I think he will be inspiring to the kids at the festival.”