Over 20 years crafting compelling visual stories — from high-profile interviews
and broadcast specials to deeply personal documentaries about resilience,
memory, and the human condition.
Selected work: Tooton’s Photography, At Humour’s Edge!, Restaurants are not Democracies!, Sieved.com, and The Art of Resilience: Phoenix from the Flame.
About
A life in pictures & stories
TooTon Communications International
Anthony McGrath Tooton IV is an award-winning documentarian and filmmaker based in
Hamilton, Ontario, whose work spans broadcast television, independent documentary, and digital storytelling.
He is the founder of TooTon Communications International (registered in Toronto,
built in Hamilton) and its film division, Tooton Films.
Trained at a young age by Ms. Mary Sharrett, via satellite, through the Guildhall School of Music and Drama —
receiving Speech & Drama Honors from there — he went on to study at Ridley College (New Boy of the Year; graduated OAC),
the University of Toronto, Memorial University, and the Toronto Film School, where he won the Entrance Scholarship
for his 52-minute film Restaurants Are Not Democracies. He brings a rigorous creative foundation to every project.
His films explore legacy, resilience, media history, and the stories we tell about ourselves
and our families. Now in post-production: The Art of Resilience: Phoenix from the Flame,
a feature documentary for NTV (Canada’s Superstation). In development: The Ostrich Effect.
Behind the lens.Off camera, with a four-legged friend.Anthony, between shoots.Signed, TooTon.
Selected Work
Films & productions
Current work
In post-productionFeature Documentary · 90 min · for NTV (Canada’s Superstation)
The Art of Resilience: Phoenix from the Flame
It's a story about overcoming adversity by dedicating oneself to art. The film follows Anthony McGrath Tooton IV — in honour of G. Scott Stirling and in memory of his son, Geoffrey Shyam Stirling Jr. — overcoming adversity through dedication to art, as do its other subjects: Janet Cull, Scott Pynn and Zena Hagerty.
Director / Producer / Editor: Anthony McGrath Tooton IV ·
Executive Producer: Maryann Hrycak ·
Production company: TooTon Communications International
An examination of systemic patterns around misdiagnosis, housing, and the human cost
of looking away. Currently in development.
Award-winning work
2021Documentary Short · Winner
Tooton’s Photography: In the Business of Making Memories
Preview presented to a sold-out crowd at The Rooms (March 2018). With the support of the
NFB Filmmaker Assistance Program. 41-minute version released 2021.
Winner – Best Documentary Short, San Diego Movie Awards 2021.
2012Comedy Special · NTV HD (Canada’s Superstation)
At Humour’s Edge!
28-minute comedy special on NTV HD (Canada’s Superstation), first broadcast in March 2012 as the lead-in to Saturday Night Live.
Newfoundland and Labrador comedians, including Shaun Majumder, Mark Critch, Sean Cullen, Nikki Payne,
Andy Jones and Snook, on the culture of comedy at the continent’s eastern edge. Produced in association
with NTV HD (Canada’s Superstation) and the Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation.
CARAS · Promotional videosJUNO Awards
JUNO Awards promos for CARAS, with Hell Creek Entertainment
Promotional videos for CARAS (the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences), made with
Hell Creek Entertainment in conjunction with Scott Rondeau, Johnny Gardhouse and Darren Frost,
and shot in Calgary. Anthony McGrath Tooton IV filmed and conducted the interviews, including
an interview with Serena Ryder. CARAS later used the videos in pitching St. John’s as a JUNO host city,
and they were screened at The Rooms. The JUNOs returned to Hamilton, Anthony’s home base,
in March 2026, at TD Coliseum.
Music & live performance
Music · Behind the scenesToronto
The Andy Kim Christmas show and JUNO-era sessions
Behind the scenes at the Andy Kim Christmas show at the Mod Club, Toronto, including Gowan’s
rehearsal of “Strange Animal” with Tim Bovaconti and Derek Downham (produced, shot and edited by
Anthony McGrath Tooton IV). JUNO-era interviews and shoots with Raine Maida and Gowan.
2006Concert · 722,000+ views
Leonard Cohen & Friends: “So Long, Marianne”
Shot and edited by Anthony McGrath Tooton IV on Bay Street, Toronto: Leonard Cohen performs
“So Long, Marianne” with Ron Sexsmith, Stephen Page, Terence Gowan and Tim Bovaconti.
More than 722,000 views on YouTube.
The story of Emma Wheeler of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, a two-time Wilms’ tumour survivor,
set to Pearl Jam’s “Given to Fly” (from Yield). Produced, shot and edited by Anthony McGrath Tooton IV.
2006Documentary · 52 min
Restaurants Are Not Democracies
52-minute documentary about Toronto restaurant culture and a tribute to the late restaurateur
Michael Carlevale and Prego Della Piazza. It won the Toronto Film School Entrance Scholarship,
presented at the CBC Broadcast Centre.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama — young-age satellite study with Ms. Mary Sharrett; Speech & Drama Honors (tested by Guildhall representatives)
Ridley College — New Boy of the Year; graduated OAC
University of Toronto
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Sieved.com — Partner, co-creator, producer, director, presenter, actor and editor. Exclusive interviews with Kiefer Sutherland and The Tragically Hip. Co-created Sieved.com’s web video section and served as the host and on-camera face of the site, building it alongside Jim Lung, Peter Wilkins, Brad Gover, John W. Watson, Chris Collingwood, and Luke Merdsoy. Yahoo named it Website of the Week. The site’s web video section was built with QuickTime video, before YouTube existed. Interviews from that era include Kiefer Sutherland in St. John’s. Watch the Sieved.com montage (21:29) →
Anthony M. Tooton interviews Kiefer Sutherland in St. John’s, Newfoundland, during the Sieved years.
Toronto Film School — Entrance Scholarship for the 52-minute film Restaurants Are Not Democracies
A foundation that blends classical performance training with practical film craft
and a deep connection to Canadian media and storytelling traditions.
Company: TooTon Communications International
(registered in Toronto, built in Hamilton) · Film division: Tooton Films
Contact
Let’s connect
For collaborations, screening inquiries, or project discussions.
