Ayla Spaans is a writer and director based between Amsterdam and Barcelona. Her work is drawn to people who don’t quite fit the system and find their own ways of moving through the world. She often explores the innocence of childhood and the complexities of adult life, using humor and lightness to uncover deeper emotional themes. With a background in fashion, film, and advertising, her visual style is colorful, poetic, and often balances reality with imagination.

She won the 3LAB competition with her children’s series Rakhi & Peppe (NPO), which was nominated for a Cinekid Award for Best Dutch Children’s Series. Currently she is completing an eight-part drama series for Videoland, about a young woman who moves to Barcelona to break free from her mother. Her children’s feature Spik en Span was recently awarded development funding by the Netherlands Film Fund for its screenplay. She is also developing her feature film Blue and Tastes Like Salt, selected for Greenlit in its early development stage.