Director & Producer

Telling stories audiences show up for.

I’m Stephen Gray, a Canadian director and producer. My debut feature, After Death, became the highest-grossing documentary since 2019, with nearly $12 million at the box office and more than a million tickets sold. I’m the founder of Tonal Films, Head of Marketing at Saturation.io, and a frequent collaborator with Sypher Studios.

Stephen Gray, director and producer

Work covered by

The New York Times
Variety
Deadline
CNN
The Guardian
Newsweek
Billboard
IndieWire
Highest-grossing documentary since 2019
#1
CinemaScore for After Death
A−
Audience-positive (PostTrak)
88%
Tickets sold in 2,730 theaters, 30+ countries
1.1M+
Portrait of Stephen Gray

A director who understands the whole business of film.

My debut theatrical documentary, After Death (Angel Studios, 2023), became the highest-grossing documentary since 2019. The film earned nearly $12 million at the box office, an A− CinemaScore, and an 88% audience-positive rating across more than a million tickets sold. It opened #4 at the North American box office, was nominated for Movieguide’s Epiphany Prize and a K-LOVE Fan Award, and was covered by Deadline, Variety, The New York Times, and CNN.

I founded Tonal Films, a Winnipeg-based production company creating commercial and documentary work for brands, agencies, and artists. Along the way I’ve had the chance to work with brands like Target, Google, Pepsi, and Leisure Travel Vans, and I serve as Head of Marketing at Saturation.io, the financial platform trusted by 8,000+ producers managing $2.7 billion in production budgets. I’m a director first: I lead with story and craft, backed by enough producing experience to know how films get financed, made, and found by their audience.

Selected work

Features & documentaries

After Death still

Feature Documentary · 2023

After Death

DirectorWriterProducer

The highest-grossing documentary since 2019: nearly $12 million at the box office, 1.1 million tickets sold across 2,730 theaters in over 30 countries. Based on real near-death experiences, After Death explores what happens when we die, guided by New York Times bestselling authors, medical experts, scientists, and survivors.

Movieguide Epiphany Prize NomineeCinemaScore A-
The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg still

Feature Documentary · 2025

The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg

Co-Producer

The bizarre true story of a beloved local broadcaster turned bank robber, featuring Will Arnett. Directed by Ben Daughtrey and Emmy-winning filmmaker Charlie Siskel.

Doomscroll still

Feature Documentary · In Production

Doomscroll

DirectorEditor

Slated for wide theatrical release, this feature documentary covers one of the largest digital detox experiments ever conducted, with 600+ participants tested at UC Berkeley, to help ignite a healthier relationship with technology.

Discovering Heaven still

Short Documentary · 2017

Discovering Heaven

DirectorProducerEditor

The award-winning short documentary that began the journey toward After Death. Winner of Best Documentary at Top Shorts and a Webby Awards honoree.

Webby Awards HonoreeTop Shorts Best Documentary
Webby Awards honoree

Commercial

Pursuing Better. Since 1965. still

Commercial · 2025

Pursuing Better. Since 1965.

DirectorProducerEditor

A brand anthem for Leisure Travel Vans. Sixty years of craftsmanship in Winkler, Manitoba, from a kitchen-table dream to an industry benchmark.

Maritimes Caravan still

Commercial · 2024

Maritimes Caravan

Director

In collaboration with GoRVing Canada, 23 Leisure Travel Vans caravanned 3,252 km through the Canadian Maritimes over 34 days.

Telly Awards Silver Winner 2024MUSE Creative Awards Gold Winner 2024
Home is a Feeling still

Commercial · 2025

Home is a Feeling

DirectorEditor

Filmed in two days for Bethesda Foundation: a daughter’s reflection as she cares for her father in his final days, helping raise funds for end-of-life care rooms.

Say hello

Most of my work starts with a conversation. If you’re a producer, studio, or brand with a project in mind, reach out anytime: send me a DM on Instagram, connect on LinkedIn, or drop me an email.