Toby started his career in documentary, creating critically lauded films for renowned British broadcasters Channel 4 and the BBC, going on to win the UK’s Grierson Award for his starkly original crime film ‘Bodysnatchers of New York’.
A constant innovator, some of Toby’s most exciting work is when he pushes documentary into unexpected territory, from his D&AD winning music video ‘Paradise Circus’ for Massive Attack to trailblazing campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. His boldly progressive social experiment for Heineken, ‘Worlds Apart’, explored the tensions of our divisive socio-political landscape. With over 50 million views, it sparked a global conversation with heated commentary everywhere from the Washington Post to Good Morning America, Time and The Guardian.
Just as unconventional is his approach to drama. For sci-fi short ‘Phobos’, conceived with Ridley Scott, Toby put his A-list cast of Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterstone, Danny McBride and Billy Krudup, through genuine, emotionally gruelling ‘fear tests’ (basically torturing his cast for real on camera), with the improvised results forming the film’s darkly compelling narrative.
Recently Toby has ventured into the gallery space with his 360-degree film installation, The Corridor, a dazzling ambitious blend of invisibly looping visuals and narrative. The centrepiece for hit art exhibition “Daydreaming with…Stanley Kubrick”, at London’s Somerset House, it has subsequently been exhibited around the World. Described by The Daily Telegraph as “At once mind boggling, funny and mildly disturbing.” it is a fitting summation for the best of Dye’s work.
“Throughout his career, Toby has won multiple Cannes Lions, CLIO Awards, Epica Awards, Effies and British Arrows, amongst many more. Inventive and bold, he’s become known for pushing the boundaries in film and storytelling, developing a fresh visual style that captivates audiences thanks to a heartfelt authenticity.” Little Black Book
“This is the music video Kubrick never got to make. A masterful piece of work that not only pays homage to Kubrick but also brings an extra dimension to a filmography that you thought could not be improved upon. Dye needs to start making more art.” Highsnobiety Magazine on ‘The Corridor’ at ‘Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick’
“Epic…ground-breaking” Shots Magazine on ‘The Corridor’
“Exactly How You Make a Socially Relevant Advert” Elle Magazine
“Worlds Apart is taking over the internet” CBS Evening News
“I literally got chills…marvellous message.” Good Morning America
“A great ad.” The Guardian
“Universally lauded” Adweek
See more ‘World’s Apart’ press here</>
“Few have created something so heart-stoppingly beautiful as Toby Dye in this stonkingly good new video for UNKLE’s Another Night Out. It’s a gorgeous, elegant five minutes of visual and aural pleasure so hold the phone, minimise the emails and surrender to its brilliance.” It’s Nice That
“A dark, disturbing and unnerving piece of filmmaking.” Creative Review Annual awards ‘Paradise Circus’, Massive Attack, ‘Best in Book’
“The most arresting video I’ve seen in some time.” Filmmaker Magazine, on ‘Paradise Circus’ Massive Attack
“Very disturbing. Very, very disturbing.” a very disturbed John Snow, Channel 4 News, on ‘Lonely Soul’ exhibited at Beyond the Road, Saatchi Gallery
“Much less exciting or titillating than you think it would be, in theory.” Pitchfork on ‘Paradise Circus’ Massive Attack