El Pasoan returns home to film narratives on U.S.-Mexico border
The El Paso Community Foundation is welcoming Valeria Contreras back home as the new artist for the Border Art Residency (BAR) for the spring and summer seasons.
The BAR is an El Paso Community Foundation project that 'enables artists to pursue their craft without the worry of immediate sales or an outside job to pay for housing expenses,' according to a news release by the foundation.
The residency provides artists like Contreras a six-month retreat for creative work with a fully furnished living space and work studio in El Paso's historic Five Points neighborhood, a monthly stipend, and paid utilities, the release said.
Contreras is an award-winning filmmaker and a University of Chicago and Columbia University graduate.
She has received the Michael Hausman/Buffalo Mike Filmhaus Foundation Award and the 3Pas Studios Award, according to the news release.
In addition, Contreras has served on the Young Mezcal Jury at the Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara and is the founder of her independent production company, Apis Mellifera Productions.
Apil Mellifera Productions is collaborating with different filmmakers worldwide, including from the U.S., Colombia, Nigeria and Canada, according to the El Paso Community Foundation.
Currently, Contreras is developing a feature film screenplay, 'Oranges,' that is set in El Paso.
'After growing up in this community, I am passionate about reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border. With 'Oranges,' I aim to highlight connections — family, love, and shared experiences — rather than the often-emphasized themes of separation, violence, and chaos. The story explores the relationship between two sisters and their sense of movement across time, anchoring their story with the historic El Paso streetcars,' Contreras said.
Contreras' first short film, 'Homesick,' screened at festivals, including Femme Frontera and the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival, according to the El Paso Community Foundation.
To donate to the El Paso Community Foundation or to learn more about the Border Art Residency, you can visit the foundation's website, visit the BAR's website, or call (915) 533-4023.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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