Using art to re-imagine the reality around us

As Calgary’s film industry continues to boom, the lesser-known underground scene is growing alongside it. It is innovative and esthetic — telling stories in a unique and thought-provoking way.  

For filmmakers like CONTRA, art is a vessel that can help us re-imagine the reality around us. She looks forward to sharing stories through a lens that can bring forth new perspectives for many people in Calgary as the Library’s 2024 Filmmaker in Residence. 

“I'm hoping to tell people to look at everything with a new set of eyes. You don't know what story can emerge and you don't know who you can be in this space.” 

From musician to filmmaker 

In 2018, CONTRA formed the group Cartel Madras with her sister. Their music is a blend of experimental hip hop and punk house music. From here, CONTRA’s unique style as a musician naturally carried into her work as a filmmaker. 

“Early on, we were directing music videos, creating these kinds of visual universes to explain to people the brand of Cartel Madras. That kind of defaulted us into being filmmakers since we were producing our videos,” CONTRA explained. 

Reaching new people as the Filmmaker in Residence 

Through CONTRA’s different projects as an artist, producer, and director, a re-occurring theme has been the underground culture in Alberta — something that other artists have incorporated, as well. She describes the Prairies as an interesting, strange, and absurd place, which many filmmakers in Alberta lean into. 

“There's this new rising tide, and it's a lot of filmmakers who didn't go to film school. It's a lot of filmmakers who are BIPOC. It's a lot of filmmakers that are being informed by some more global ideas, politically, in terms of their own histories, or in terms of the entertainment and culture that they're taking in.” 

While this scene is growing, it isn’t necessarily accessible for everyone. CONTRA says these art scenes are often siloed and only familiar to those who are already in these communities. Her goal as the Library’s Filmmaker in Residence is to connect new people to the underground film scene in an accessible way. 

“There's not often a pipeline into letting in emerging filmmakers and creatives. One of the big reasons why I was interested in this residency was to be doing what I do in these ‘hyper-artsy’ spaces, but free for people who typically can’t access these spaces.” 

CONTRA’s programs at the Library are vast and will explore both introductory and in-depth filmmaking concepts. She will share more about Alberta’s filmmaking scene, how to get started on film pitching, and more. View all of her programs on our website. 

The Filmmaker in Residence is one of eight annual residencies at Calgary Public Library that helps make experts from the arts and culture sector available to the public through office hours, programs, and other activities.