Ayla Spaans is a director based in Barcelona, who tells stories that blend reality and imagination. Her vibrant and playful style, influenced by her background in fashion and film, comes to life in children’s series, short films, music videos, and commercials. Ayla combines light, accessible styles with deeper, often tragic or complex themes, such as the innocence of childhood and the complexities of adulthood.

After studying fashion and film (HKU), she directed at a Dutch agency before debuting her fiction film WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS at the Netherlands Film Festival (2019). Her shorts ABOUT TWO GIRLS and A BORING DAY IN HELL received international recognition, including from SHORTCUTZ, BERLIN COMMERCIAL, and the LONDON FASHION FILM FESTIVAL, and have been showcased on platforms such as NOWNESS, BOOOOOOM TV, and MILK MAGAZINE.

In 2021, she won the 3LAB competition with RAKHI & PEPPE, which became a full children’s miniseries (NPO) and earned a CINEKID nomination for BEST DUTCH CHILDREN’S SERIES. She has directed for brands like CHUPA CHUPS, NAKED, and COCA-COLA.

Currently, Ayla is developing a new series for VIDEOLAND, set to shoot in 2026 and premiere in 2027. She is also writing a children’s feature film titled BIJ ONS THUIS, and her debut feature IT’S BLUE AND TASTES LIKE SALT, which was selected in 2023 for the GREENLIT talent development program. In 2024, her short LAST DANCE was nominated for the YOUNG DIRECTOR AWARD.