EMILIA J TOLNAI
Bachelors of Media Arts Degree
Emily Carr University Alumni 2026
film maker
EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY 2022-2026
GIVE ME GRACE
>Vancouver, Canada 2026
21 year old Clara gains clarity on her epilepsy as she regains consciousness after having a seizure. She is forced to confront self obsession with being in control and letting go of the fear of being perceived. This film dives into the sensation of what a seizure feels like from an epileptics point of view.
why give me grace?
Growing up, I never saw my experience with epilepsy reflected in media. Through Give Me Grace, I centred around what it feels like to have a seizure and the raw emotional roller coaster that comes with epilepsy. With only a few films centred on epilepsy, despite over 50 million people worldwide living with the condition, the lack of representation compelled me to create. Clara portrays a young woman waking from a seizure, embodying the anger, confusion, and discomfort of living with something uncontrollable and lifelong. Through her story, I aim to capture both the physical intensity of epilepsy and the emotional weight it carries for individuals and their families.
Experimenting with Bolex Camera 16mm
Vancouver, Canada 2023
Director: Emilia J Tolnai
Actor: Emily Hester
Freedom in Movement
Vancouver, Canada 2024Creative Director and Editor: Odartey Aryee
Choreography and Performance: Emilia J Tolnai
I'm Emilia Joan Tolnai (She/They), a queer, neurodivergent, small town girl from the Okanagan living her true Hallmark fantasy and moving to the big city to fulfill her film career! I’m a Vancouver-based filmmaker and a Emily Carr University of Art + Design allumni, where I served as the student representative for Film, Media, and Screen Arts. I graduated in May 2026 and am passionate about developing an intimate, emotionally driven approach to storytelling.
My recent short film, Give Me Grace (2026), is about Clara, a young adult living with epilepsy as she navigates the insane process of gaining consciousness after having a seizure. A sequel to award winning film Don’t Call Mom (2024), which was made in Lithuania and has been screened at festivals in France, London, USA, and Canada. With a background in industrial design, I approach filmmaking with a strong visual sensibility, often favoring quiet, atmospheric moments. I'm particularly drawn to directing, production design, and costume design—areas where I can merge my love for visual storytelling with character and world-building. I often use nature and physical space as metaphors for internal emotional states, aiming to create immersive, emotionally resonant experiences.
Outside of filmmaking, I find inspiration in dance and spending time outdoors—both of which deeply influence the rhythm and tone of my creative process. Through a thoughtful and introspective lens, I strive to tell stories that connect with the subtle, often unspoken layers of the human experience.