Baena’s career saw him be nominated for several awards for his writing and directorial skills.
He got a second Grand Jury Prize nomination in 2016 for Joshy and his The Little Hours project from a year later was also put up for the Audience award at the 2017 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The filmmaker also had a go at writing for TV with the Showtime series Cinema Toast which he created, wrote, directed and executive produced.
Baena has left behind his wife, mother Barbra Stern, stepfather Roger Stern and stepmother Michele Baena.