Kevin Costner's Son Hayes, 15, Says Filming “Horizon” Was 'Unforgettable' and He Loves Fishing with Dad (Exclusive)

In a new PEOPLE cover story, the Oscar winner and 'Horizon' director says sharing the screen with his kids is like having 70-millimeter 'home movies'

For Kevin Costner's 15-year-old son Hayes, making his acting debut in Horizon: An American Saga was one thing. But doing so alongside his dad was next-level awesome.

"It felt like the greatest way that we could bond over something we both love and to create lasting memories together," says Hayes, who shares his name with Costner's Horizon character, Hayes Ellison. "Working with my dad was an unforgettable moment in time."

Hayes says his father was “focused and meticulous" when directing and "always gentle" in offering feedback, but quickly reverted to "dad mode" at the end of the day: "I think that's my favorite time with him."

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Related: Kevin Costner Says He Cast Son Hayes, 15, in Horizon So They Could 'Hang Out': 'Really Proud' of Him

Alongside four of his six siblings, Hayes was on hand in Cannes to witness the rapturous applause Costner received from the film festival crowd in May. "The best part of being in Cannes with my family was watching all my dad's hard work come to life in the theater," says the high schooler, who attended with his brother Cayden, 17, and sisters Grace, 14, Lily, 37, and Annie, 40.

"Seeing my dad's emotional response, hearing and feeling the audience applaud him, the standing ovation, taking it all in … it was heartwarming to see everyone appreciate the time and love he put into the film."

Over the years, Costner's other kids have made appearances in his films, including the three oldest who were in his Oscar-winning directorial debut Dances with Wolves in 1990. "I'm locked in a 70-millimeter film with my children," says Costner, who recently cast his 36-year-old son Joe in the third chapter of Horizon. "Those were my home movies."

Related: Kevin Costner Moved to Tears by 10-Minute Standing Ovation for Passion Project Horizon in Cannes: 'I’ll Never Forget This'

It's not yet clear whether Hayes will follow in Costner's thespian footsteps, but he had a blast on Horizon. "It was thrilling and exhilarating to shoot with so much action, I mean big action, happening all around me ... like people running, glass breaking, gunfire and all that commotion!" says Hayes. "It was an adrenaline rush for sure."

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But at least for now he's got other priorities: school, volleyball, surfing, and when they can steal away, fishing with his dad. "It's more about spending time together and talking," he says. "It’s those quiet, peaceful moments that I cherish the most."

For more of Kevin Costner’s exclusive interview, pick up this week’s PEOPLE magazine, on stands Friday.

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