Arts Thread

I'm Emilia Joan Tolnai (She/They), a queer, neurodivergent, small town girl from the Okanagan living her true Hallmark fantasy and moved to the big city to fulfill her film career! I’m a Vancouver-based filmmaker and a Emily Carr University of Art + Design alumni, 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.