Mariska Hargitay Reflects on ‘Beautiful Moments’ with Family as Doc Wins Big (Exclusive)

Mariska Hargitay is taking it all in.

My Mom Jayne, Hargitay’s feature film directorial debut, about her late mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, won Best First Documentary Feature at the 10th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards on Nov. 9.

“I’m profoundly honored to be in this room and to be among so many incredible artists that have inspired me so deeply,” Hargitay, 61, said in her acceptance speech. “I made this movie because I wanted to get to know my mother.”

When Hargitay was just 3 years old, she survived the car accident that killed Mansfield in 1967 at age 34. In the film, Hargitay grapples not only with the loss of her mom, but also a deeply nuanced family history full of secrets.

“I learned so much doing this project, and I’m so grateful to HBO for supporting us and for wanting to make this movie,” Hargitay said. “I had the most incredible team. My amazing producer, Trish Adlesic, whom I’ve known for 27 years. My editor, whom I felt I shared a soul with, JD Marlow. And then I met this beautiful composer, Max Lichtenstein, and our producers. Everyone was so extraordinary, and it was such an incredible collaboration. My motto has always been, ‘Best idea wins,’ and it really took a village to make this movie, so I am humbled.”

My Mom Jayne is full of stunning archival footage of the prolific Mansfield, but Hargitay noted that she and Adlesic had to be judicious about what ultimately made the final cut. Hargitay told PEOPLE ahead of the Critics Choice ceremony that there were “so many scenes that didn’t make it into the film that I wish did.”

“I keep saying to everyone, I could have made five movies! There were so many just beautiful, tender, loving, surprising moments that I had with my family, and all of it couldn’t fit in there,” she added, noting that she still has all of the footage, and she plans to put it to good use for her family this holiday season.

The Critics Choice Documentary win marks the project’s first award, and Hargitay made sure to thank those in the room who supported her in making the film with their creative conversations and encouragement.

She also acknowledged the bravery of telling stories, especially those that are deeply personal.

“I’m just so grateful because I never knew how this film would be received, and it’s been extraordinary,” she said. “I knew that I wanted my mother’s story to be told, but it took me a long time to understand that I was the one who was called to tell it, and I would be charged with directing it and how it would be told. So in that spirit, and in the spirit of this award, I say to all of us: We’re called to tell our stories. By all means, let’s tell them.”

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My Mom Jayne is streaming now on HBO Max.