Felipe Contreras is a proud Puerto Rican and Salvadorian filmmaker, born and raised in Los Angeles. As an award-winning producer, director, and storyteller, Felipe has devoted his career to using storytelling to bridge cultural divides, elevate marginalized voices, and promote ecological and social resilience. His work spans film, multimedia, and new media, focusing on projects that amplify the narratives of Indigenous and BIPOC communities, particularly regarding environmental and social advocacy.

Felipe’s journey as a storyteller has taken him across the globe, allowing him to live and work in diverse regions, from the Amazon rainforest to the urban landscapes of Los Angeles and Toronto. His storytelling is deeply personal, as he explores his own cultures while connecting with and learning from communities worldwide. His academic background in Social-Cultural Anthropology from the University of Washington, along with a Master’s in Environmental Visual Communication from Fleming College, has equipped him with the tools to craft narratives that resonate across cultures.

Career highlights for Felipe include designing an audio lab for impactful programs such as Doc Society’s Climate Storylab and the BILM initiative, hosted in the Amazon rainforest. This initiative brought together Indigenous storytellers and environmental advocates to reimagine climate narratives. He also programmed and led the 2023 Indigenous Imaginarium, a mentorship initiative connecting Indigenous filmmakers to Hollywood, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and advancing Indigenous storytelling globally.

As the creator of cINeDIGENOUS, Felipe champions Indigenous filmmakers by curating films and hosting virtual masterclasses celebrating Indigenous representation in cinema. His work has been featured in prominent film festivals, including the Jackson Wild Media Summit and the Seattle International Film Festival, earning recognition for his ability to amplify Indigenous and environmental narratives. Felipe has had the privilege of collaborating with high-profile figures, such as Harrison Ford and James Cameron, which further enhances the reach and impact of his storytelling.

Felipe’s podcast production achievements are also noteworthy. His award-winning work includes the Seedcast podcast, which highlights Indigenous resilience and environmental justice stories. His podcasts have received widespread acclaim, accumulating tens of thousands of downloads and winning prestigious awards, including the Native American Journalism Award for Best International Coverage.

Beyond his professional endeavors in media, Felipe founded Project Men Unmasked, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a safe and supportive community for men. This organization addresses the unique challenges that men face in contemporary society—issues that often lead to isolation, substance abuse, violence, and suicide. Through educational experiences, wellness workshops, and community-building initiatives, Project Men Unmasked provides resources and support to help men thrive.

Felipe’s commitment to cultural and ecological diversity, his leadership in storytelling initiatives, and his dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices have made him significant in environmental advocacy and media production. His work inspires change and fosters connection through film, audio, photography, and community-driven projects.

Felipe is a Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow (2023) and a Flaherty Seminar Fellow (2022). He has collaborated with organizations like Nia Tero, Doc Society, Nature Conservancy, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Hollywood Climate Summit, If Not Us Then Who, CAA Foundation, and various universities worldwide. He is committed to amplifying stories that can transform global dialogues surrounding climate, culture, and community.