Bayona (born in 1975) is a Spanish director who became famous soon after his debut The Orphanage (El orfanato, 2007). It won many Goya awards (Best New Director, Screenplay, Production, Sound, Special Effects) and awards at other film festivals, including New Director, Actress, Editor, Cinematographer, Sound). He began his career as a journalist and then graduated with a degree in directing from The Film and Audiovisual School of Catalonia (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya – ESCAC). Before his feature film debut, he directed several short films and musical videos. His next project, currently in preproduction, is the thriller Hater. He is currently working on postproduction of his film The Impossible, based on true events which took place during an earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004.