Francisco Plaza Trinidad (born 8 February 1973), simply known as Paco Plaza, is a Spanish film director known for his works in the horror genre. He is the co-creator of the REC demon possession film franchise (commonly referred to as a zombie franchise).
Early life and education Plaza was born on 8 February 1973 in Valencia. He has a degree in Audiovisual Communication from CEU Cardinal Herrera University and a diploma in film direction from the ECAM. He speaks Spanish, English and French.
Career Although he is best known as a director, he is also a screenwriter, producer, editor and even was a costume designer on one occasion for Tropismos (1995), his first short film and with which he made his debut as a director.
Plaza is known in Spanish cinema and abroad for the creation of the trilogy REC (2007). A year after the release of the first film, American director John Erick Dowdle made an adaptation of the Paco Plaza film, under the name of Quarantine (2008). The trilogy REC has accumulated a total of 26 awards and 17 nominations in numerous film festivals.
On 23 July 2025, Variety revealed that Plaza was among the filmmakers who directed a segment for V/H/S/Halloween, Shudder's 8th instalment in their horror anthology V/H/S franchise. The film was released in October 2025.
Filmography
Film Year TitleDirectorWriter Notes 2002 Second Name OT: La película DocumentaryCo-directed with Jaume Balaguero 2004 Romasanta 2007 REC Co-directed with Jaume Balaguero 2009 REC 2 2010Bunbury 3DEnrique Bunbury concert film 2012 REC 3: Genesis 2017 Verónica Also associate producer 2019 Quien a hierro mata IMDb 2021 La abuela 2023 Hermana Muerte 2025 V/H/S/Halloween Segment: "Ut Supra Sic Infra"
As actor Year Title Role 1996 Adosados Marido 2009 REC 2 Zombie Spanish Movie Municipal 2020 La Suite Nupcial Cameo Camarero 2023 Saben aquell Chicho Ibáñez Serrador
Producer only Year Title Notes 2014 REC 4: Apocalypse Creative producer 2015Requirements to Be a Normal Person Producer and executive producer
Short film Year TitleDirectorWriter Producer Notes 1995 Tropismos Also editor and costume designer 1997 Tarzán en el Café Lisboa Also editor 1999 Abuelitos 2001 Puzzles 2007 Sr. Rosso 2009 Lo siento, te quiero 2010 Luna de miele, Luna di sangue VII 2013 Habitantes 2014 Ultravioleta Advertising shortAlso additional still photographer 2020 D.E.V.:Disfrute en Vida Advertising shortCo-directed with Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
Television Year TitleDirectorWriter Notes 2005 Cuento de Navidad TV movie 2016 El Ministerio del Tiempo Episode: "Tiempo de magia" 2021 Historias para no dormir Episode: "Freddy"
As himself Year Title Role Notes 2023 Drag Race España Guest judge Episode: "Secuelas de terror drag"
As actor Year Title Role Notes 1990 La Forja de un Rebelde ExtraTV series 1 episode Eva y Adan: Agencia Matrimonial Policia 2002 Cuentame Policía Gris
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