A commercial and documentary film production company in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
About
A video production company in Winnipeg.
Tonal Films is led by director, producer, and editor Stephen Gray. His debut feature, After Death, became the highest-grossing documentary since 2019: nearly $12 million at the box office, 1.1 million tickets, 2,730 theaters, 30+ countries. We work with brands, agencies, artists, and other production companies across Western Canada, the rest of Canada, and the USA: sometimes end to end, sometimes plugging into your team for development, production, or post.
Clients & Partners
Manitoba brands and organizations we have worked with, including Leisure Travel Vans, Lode King, and the Province of Manitoba, alongside partners across Canada and the United States.
Work
Selected work
Feature documentaries, TV and online commercials, corporate video, brand films, and music videos.
After Death
Documentary Feature
The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg
Documentary Feature
Doomscroll
Documentary Feature, Concept Trailer
Maritimes Caravan
Branded Content
Pursuing Better. Since 1965.
Commercial
Home is a Feeling
Commercial
Highway Driven Since 1980
Commercial
Your Great Love - Elle Limebear
Music Video
Behind the scenes
Recognition
Stephen Gray’s first feature, After Death, played in 2,730 theaters across more than 30 countries and became the highest-grossing documentary since 2019. Audiences gave it a CinemaScore A-. The body of work spans commercial and documentary projects, including a feature documentary Stephen co-produced for Amazon Studios, and has been recognized by the likes of the Telly Awards, MUSE Creative Awards, and Webby Awards. A brand channel Stephen helped build passed 100,000 subscribers and earned a YouTube Creator Award.
- Box office, After Death
- $11.9M
- Tickets sold
- 1.1M+
- Theaters, 30+ countries
- 2,730
- CinemaScore
- A-
What clients and press say
“Working with Stephen and his team was wonderful from start to finish. They were diligent, professional, and delivered a top quality product we will be using for years to come. The quality of the video and the exceptional storytelling stood out: they took our history and translated it into four very thoughtful films.”
Bre Hearsum
KGS Group
“I was expecting just a video, but Stephen delivered a ton more: gorgeous and incredible assets. Wish all of our videos looked like this!”
Nikki Hill
Ergotron
“This is beyond amazing, well beyond anything we could have expected. Thank you for producing such high quality content: our Creative Director could not quite believe it.”
Charlie Felton
LIFX
“Stephen Gray comes with my highest recommendation… He shepherded this project from inception to fruition. In the end, we won multiple international awards, the film received a worldwide theatrical release, and was highly profitable… Run, don’t walk, to hire Stephen for your next project!”
Doug Lito
MA-HA VIRTUE
“One of the most grounded, visionary directors I’ve ever collaborated with… he isn’t chasing headlines; he’s chasing truth… If you ever have the chance to collaborate with Stephen Gray, take it.”
Jason Pamer, p.g.a.
Producer, After Death
“I worked with Stephen and the team a few times and each time they blow away my expectations for the project. Their creative brilliance will take them to the top of the cinematography world!”
Lennard Taylor
Artist and Designer
“Stephen’s talents and attention to detail is of the utmost degree and the work he has produced is the envy of all his peers.”
Rodrigo Riedel
Senior Video Producer
“I always found Stephen to be highly talented and very creative, as well as someone who possessed a deep amount of technical knowledge… He was a real pleasure to work with and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him for a creative project.”
Dean M.G. Love
Marketer and Writer
“He listens to his clients’ dreams and works hard to turn them into reality. Stephen’s goal is to create something unique and timeless, and he takes pride in involving himself every step of the way; from the first client meeting, to planning, to filming, to editing and delivery.”
Nevil Stephens
Design Director, Tactica Interactive
“I can’t say enough about the creativity and professionalism of him and his team; he always gets the shot, knows what his task is, and gets it done all in one.”
Lauren Wiebe
Event Designer
“Stephen and his team are incredibly talented at what they do: attention to detail, creative talent, and expertise. I would hire them again in a heartbeat!”
Ashley Kosowan
CEO and Co-Owner, Jenna Rae Cakes
“His attention to detail was outstanding and it showed in the final product. Stephen has raised the bar on quality cinematography and I’d hate to be the guy competing against him.”
Cheeraz Fouad
Sony of Canada
“After Death, which opens in over 2,600 theaters this weekend, an extremely wide release for a doc that doesn’t also happen to be a concert film… has pre-sold over 211,000 tickets… Director Stephen Gray said the sudden loss of his brother-in-law at age 36 in part inspired the film.”
Jill Goldsmith
Deadline
“After Death… has just become the highest-grossing documentary since 2019… the fourth highest grossing movie of the weekend when it first opened, making more than $5 million.”
Shannon Power
Newsweek
“What I find incredibly impressive about After Death is that it’s a documentary that is very cinematic. The imagery that is presented in the movie… it’s mindblowing, it’s breathtaking… it blew me away. It’s just an amazing documentary, it really is.”
Matthew Pejkovic
Film critic
“Wow. What a compelling story, or I should say stories… Off camera, you told me some of these stories. My jaw is on the floor.”
Ainsley McPhail
CTV Winnipeg
“Honestly, I have seen this trailer how many times, and it still gives me full body rush goosebumps every time.”
Jody Vance
Steele & Vance, CHEK TV
“I would highly recommend you go out and watch this film… take the friend of yours that perhaps is a skeptic about the afterlife. I found it incredibly thought-provoking and emotional on so many levels… I promise our viewers will not be disappointed.”
Mark Masri
100 Huntley Street
“These gripping near death experiences shine light on what lies beyond this mortal realm… A combination of compelling stories, captivating music and incredible cinematography.”
AMFM Magazine
Film and music magazine
“I watched After Death and I’m, like, blown away. I have so many questions… It’s an amazing documentary. It’s going to make you really think about life and death.”
Amber Rose
Podcast host
“I definitely recommend anyone who is interested in the subject at all… it’s a really good film. There’s really nowhere else to look right now… nothing that goes as deep as this.”
Cameron Bertuzzi
Capturing Christianity
“I’m literally getting emotional right now. I want to stop and say this for everybody listening: you need to immediately make decisions to see this movie… Bring your friends, bring your family.”
Mike Signorelli
Author and podcast host
“The powerful new documentary… This film brings to light multiple counts of people experiencing what lies beyond this life… Be sure to go and watch After Death.”
Joni Lamb
Daystar Television
Film Shortage named Discovering Heaven a Daily Short Pick, calling the film “unique, personal, and evocative”: a harrowing near-death story, told with the craft that earned the pick.
Film Shortage
Daily Short Pick
“This is such an incredible film. You follow the story of a man who died, was pronounced dead, and came back to life… It has been in a number of film festivals and it has already won a number of awards. That’s amazing.”
Adriana Zhang
Global News
“The hard work is paying off… several awards and nominations, including the L.A. and New York Film Awards.”
Libby Giesbrecht
CHVN
“It’s powerful, even if you don’t follow any personal faith of your own… The human experience is not as quantifiable and rational as we try to make it out to be. No matter your faith, this is a must see experience.”
Jessica Cribbs
Burbank Mom
Press
- NEW YORK TIMES 'After Death': Visions at the Brink From Those Who Returned
- CNN 'After Death' Echoes 'Sound of Freedom's' Pay-It-Forward Formula
- VARIETY 'After Death' Movie Review
- THE GUARDIAN Visions Of Post-Demise Jesus, Heaven, and Hell
- DEADLINE Documentary 'After Death' Opens Today In Wide Release
- DEADLINE Movieguide Nominations For 31st Annual Awards
- NEWSWEEK 'After Death' Director on Following 'Sound of Freedom' Success
- INDIEWIRE 'After Death' Review
- BILLBOARD K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominees In Nashville
- MOVIEGUIDE After Death Lands Strong Opening
- MOVIEGUIDE Achieves Top Faith-Based Documentary Of All Time
- CROSSWALK 'After Death' Soars with Top 5 Opening, Beats Disney
- CBN 'After Death' Scores 4th Place at Box Office
- CHVN Historic Documentary Opening Box Office Performance
- CITYNEWS Manitoba Team Enters Box-Office Record Books
- CTV NEWS Filmmaker Stephen Gray Shares About His Film
- GLOBAL NEWS Winnipeg Filmmaker Explores Near-Death Experiences
- DAYSTAR Life After Death: Don Piper & Stephen Gray
- 100 HUNTLEY STREET Stephen Explores What Happens After We Die
- 700 CLUB CANADA Interview With Director Stephen Gray
- THE WEBBY AWARDS Discovering Heaven Nominated for Best Shortform Documentary
- TOP SHORTS Discovering Heaven Winner 'Best Documentary'
- FILMSHORTAGE Daily Short Pick
Have a project in mind?
Most of our work starts with a conversation. Tell us what you are making, and we will tell you honestly how we can help.
Stephen Gray
Director, Producer, Editor