Ernesto Contreras

Ernesto Contreras

Filmmaker. Born in the port of Veracruz, México. Former President of the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (2017-2019). Graduate of the Center for Studies in Communication Sciences and the University Center for Cinematographic Studies (CUEC-UNAM). In 2007, his first feature Blue Eyelids is nominated to the Caméra d'Or of the 60th Cannes Film Festival as part of the official selection of the 46th International Critic's Week. The film participates in many festivals, winning, among other recognitions, Best Ibero-American Film in the 22nd Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Silver Ariel for Best First Work and the Special Jury Prize in Sundance Film Festival and Miami International Film Festival. In 2008 he receives the National University Award. 2010 witnesses the premier of the documentary feature Being Café Tacvba, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Mexico's most important rock band. 2014 premiers The Obscure Spring, Best Film winner of the 32nd Miami International Film Festival, as well as three Ariel awards of the Mexican Academy. In 2016, Contreras directs the episode Eroticism, starring Irène Jacob, included in the feature film Tales of Mexico. In 2017, his film I Dream in Another Language receives many awards, including the Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, and in 2018 receives six Ariel awards of the Mexican Academy, including Best Film. Alongside his film career, Ernesto Contreras has been general director of documentary series for NatGeo, Discovery Channel and HBO. He has also directed fiction series, like El Chapo for Netflix and Falco for Amazon, the latter winner of the Non-English Language US Primetime Program Emmy Awards in 2019. As of 2019, member of the National Creators' System and is in postproduction of his fifth feature, Impossible Things.
Ernesto Contreras

Movies

The Secret of the River
When a young boy arrives in a small Mexican village, a profound friendship blossoms with a local kid — and a dark secret seals their bond forever.
El Chapo
This drama series chronicles the true story of the rise, capture and escape of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.