J.A. Bayona receives the Barcelona Medal for Cultural Merit

Catalan filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona was awarded the Barcelona Medal for Cultural Merit on Tuesday.

Mayor Jaume Collboni presented the medal, saying that the city was honoring Bayona for his outstanding contributions to cinema and for being one of the "most recognized and celebrated Catalan and Spanish filmmakers."

"Barcelona is proud of you, your ambition and your courage," the mayor declared during a ceremony at the city council's headquarters.

Collboni praised Bayona's extraordinary ability to tell stories "from a perspective that never leaves anyone indifferent."

"Bayona has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in Catalan and Spanish cinema, directing major productions and paving the way for new generations of filmmakers," he added.

Bayona, director of 'Society of the Snow,' which was nominated for Best International Film at the recent Oscars, said he was "emotional" to receive the award.

"I am deeply moved to receive this award from the city I call home. I have always lived in Barcelona and I would never change this city for any other in the world," he said.

To learn more about J.A. Bayona, Society of the Snow, and its Oscar journey, listen to this episode of our podcast Filling the Sink.