Love Song, the company founded by Kelly Bayett and Daniel Wolfe, has added Diego Contreras to its directorial roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. Hailing from Guatemala and presently based in Los Angeles, Contreras has, since 2014, amassed an ambitious body of work consisting of narrative film, music videos and high-end commercial collaborations.
Having worked for several years as an advertising art director at agencies including BBDO NY, Anomaly, and CP+B, Contreras transitioned to full-time filmmaking, answering his true calling as a storyteller. Prior to joining Love Song, Contreras had most recently been represented in the ad arena by RESET.
Beginning with the evocative, non-narrative short, Islands (a 2012 Vimeo staff pick)–a love letter of sorts to his wife shot on their honeymoon–Contreras has developed a knack for capturing, distilling, and conveying the myriad and often fleeting personal liberations that color human life: moments of hope, exhale, or an inexplicable grace. Whether depicting a boy dancing alone on an NYC subway platform (as in the video for Kool Head’s “Leon”) or documenting the trials and tribulations of a high school football team’s “hell week” (The Sandman, another Vimeo staff pick), Contreras cultivates an authentic and confident intimacy in his work.
“I’ve always had such a deep love for film and storytelling, and being able to fully commit to directing has been a tremendous honor and a gift,” said Contreras. “I’ve been admiring Love Song’s bold and fresh approach to storytelling since the company’s launch. Every frame and every moment in their work is filled with so much life, energy, humanity, and texture–and that’s something I connect so strongly with. I love what the company stands for and Daniel and Kelly’s eagerness to support and nurture up and coming and undiscovered talent. It’s something our industry needs more of and why I’m excited to begin creating alongside their talented and award-winning team.”
Of Contreras’s signing, Love Song founder Bayett said, “I’ve been an admirer of Diego’s work for a long time–his images are simultaneously modern and utterly timeless, and there is a convincingly emotive quality to everything he creates. What made Diego even more of a perfect fit for our roster is that he’s passionate about mentoring young artists, which is right in line with the ethos of Love Song. He is an incredible soul and we are so excited to create beautiful and impactful work together.
Contreras’s recent works include multiple Apple iPhone launch films, an interactive short for Facebook, ads for Ford, Lincoln, Reebok, GE, Blue Moon, and an original short reflecting on COVID-19 titled The Last Embrace.
