Coverage

Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival back at Ontario Place this summer

June 5, 2021

Drive-in movies are making their way back to Toronto’s waterfront this summer.

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) and CHIN Radio-TV are presenting the second annual Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival at Ontario Place from June 27-July 17.

This year’s selection of films will celebrate Canada’s multiculturalism with a special “Focus Italia” series of movies.Among the highlights of films from 16 different countries will be a special pre-festival June 19 screening of Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature, Luca, directed by Enrico Casarosa (La Luna).The screening will feature a Luca themed dinner by Eataly and includes a special greeting from Casarosa and Character Art Director Deanna Marsigliese with the ICFF donating a portion of ticket sales to Canada Food Bank.The Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival will officially open on June 27 in celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day with the Canadian Premiere of Robert De Niro’s The Comeback Trail about two movie producers, trying to save themselves from the mob, by setting up an aging actor for an insurance scam.

Also screening on July 1 is the North American premiere of Peace by Chocolate by director Jonathan Keijser based on the real-life story of a Syrian family who take refuge in Nova Scotia, where they successfully start a chocolate company.Other films include the Canadian premiere of director Euros Lyn’s British film, Dream Horse starring Toni Colette about Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by a small-town bartender.Three-movie packages range from $90 for one or two people per car and $150 for three or more per car.“We will remember this year as a dramatic one because of the serious losses and struggles that hit us as a result of the pandemic,” said Cristiano de Florentiis, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the ICFF, in a statement.

“The lockdown of our cities and society has also caused the loss of the sense of community that united us. For this reason, we made it our mission to reconnect people, reduce distances, and create an event where audiences can share emotions together again.”This year also marks the ten anniversary edition of the ICFF, taking place at Ontario Place, in Kleinburg at the outside gardens at the McMichael Art Gallery, and Montreal in the Petite Italie borough.It will also be online across Canada on the ICFF official digital platform in collaboration with the Toronto International Film Festival from July 5-13.