Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Trillium Park Transforms into a Glamorous Open-Air Cinema
Following the outstanding success of the drive-in initiative at Ontario Place, the Italian Contemporary Film Festival will continue with an in-person program from July 21st to August 2nd, 2021.
Toronto – The ICFF, presented by Lavazza, is beyond thrilled to announce its brand-new open-air program that will run in Toronto from July 21st to August 2nd at Trillium Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Canada. Following the success of the exceptional Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival, in partnership with CHIN Radio/TV and Ontario Place, the ICFF will continue celebrating its milestone 10th anniversary with special events and exclusive screenings under the shimmering lights of the iconic Toronto skyline.
With the support of Christie Digital and Rogers Communications, the festival will present a series of outdoor screenings honouring the best of Italian cinema. The program, presented thanks to the steadfast support of the Italian Embassy in Canada, the Italian Consulate in Toronto, the Italian Institutes of Culture, Italian Trade Commission and the media partners CHIN Radio, OMNI Television and RAI Italia, will focus on the influence that Italian culture had, and still holds today, on worldwide architecture, design, fashion, beauty, literature, music, art, cuisine and much more.
Recreating the traditional glamour of a film festival, the initiative will present ten nights of special events and dynamic panel discussions featuring the glamorous decor of Luxe Modern Event Rentals. The events will include gourmet culinary experiences with exclusive coffee and cocktail bars under the stars thanks to the support of Lavazza and Campari. With the inception of the new outdoor venue, the mission of the festival is to reconnect people, reduce distances, and foster new interest in Italian culture and traditions. The initiative will provide the perfect opportunity for audiences to come together, share emotions, and socialize through the magic of cinema while enjoying some of the most exquisite Italian products and iconic drinks.
The Festival will continue to provide safe entertainment for all guests thanks to the partnership with Juiceworks Exhibits and Predictmedix Inc. that will supply innovative COVID-19 Screening Safe Entry Stations throughout the outdoor programming. This incredible new technology, introduced for the first time in Canada at the festival, will be used to screen audience members, staff, and volunteers for COVID-19 symptoms.
ICFF Architettura & Design 2021
ICFF Architettura & Design, presented by Great Gulf, is the event that embraces and highlights Italian architecture and design and its worldwide influence on modern construction. For this edition, the Festival is proud to announce three special screenings dedicated to these topics, accompanied by incredible panel discussions and presentations from renowned architects and designers in the field.
- Carlo Scarpa and Aldo Rossi: Masters of Poetry and Memory | Wed. July 21st
The event will feature a panel discussion on the renowned Italian architect and designer, Aldo Rossi. The conversation will be moderated by esteemed architect, Professor Morris Adjmi, and will feature the participation of Mark Sterling, Architect and Associate Professor at Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto, Mary Louise Lodsinger, Architectural historian and Associate Professor of Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto, and Ralph Giannone, Founding partner of the architectural firm Giannone Petricone Associates. The discussion will then be followed by the screening of the documentary by Francesco Conversano and Nene Grignaffini. The outstanding picture brings to screen the work and the vision of the renowned and disputed architect, Aldo Rossi, through his masterpieces, his theoretical elaboration, as well as the impact that his writings had on Italian and world architecture and design.
- Sin – Il Peccato | Sat. July 24th
The screening, presented by Ciot, will shed a light on the world renowned and imitated artist and sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti, through the captivating images by master director, Andrey Konchalovsky. The feature will be accompanied by a special presentation featuring Professor James G. Cooper from Penn State University, and Luigi Ferrara, Dean of the Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology at George Brown College in Toronto. The event will also include an introduction by Ciot, one of the most important marble art retailers in the world.
- Homo Urbanus Venetianus | Tue. July 27th
The event will be centred around the very fitting topic of water in relation to architecture and construction through the images of the successes and struggles of Venice’s architecture. The film directed by Ila Bêka & Louise Lemoine, will be accompanied by the introduction of the filmmakers with the Architettura & Design Chair, Stefano Pujatti. The event will also include a panel discussion that will provide insight on the new projects and ideas in development in the city. The debate will be moderated by luxury interior designers, Dragana Maznic and Anna Simone, and the panel discussion will include esteemed architects, Gianpiero Pugliese and Alex Josephson and a representative from Toronto Waterfront.
Aspromonte: la terra degli ultimi | Thu. July 22nd
Winner of last year’s People’s Choice Award, Aspromonte is making a triumphant comeback at the open-air cinema thanks to the partnership with Heritage Calabria. The film, directed by Mimmo Calopresti, will recount the captivating and emotional story of a small village in the southern valley of Aspromonte. The event will feature an exquisite antipasto by chef Luciano Schipano.
Piazza Petawawa | Fri. July 23rd
Following the Canadian Prime Minister’s apology to Italian Canadians interned during the Second World War, the ICFF, in partnership with the CIBPA, is proud to present the screening of Piazza Petawawa by Rino Noto. The insightful documentary will encompass the story of this tragic event from the beginning to the final and long-awaited apology in 2021. The film will be accompanied by the screening of Bond of Strangers, which will represent a special event with thrilling panel discussions and a special dinner by Hero Burger to accompany the presentation.
ICFF Letteratura | Sun. July 25th
In honour of the 700th anniversary of the death of the medieval poet and philosopher, Dante Alighieri, the festival, in partnership with the Italian Institute of Culture in Toronto, will host the special screening of Inferno (1911) with an extraordinary live musical accompaniment by Maurizio Guarini. Through one of the most captivating masterpieces of all times, the event will connect literature, cinema, and music to celebrate the extraordinary work of the Father of the Italian language.
The Chain | Wed. July 28th
The festival is proud to feature the screening of The Chain directed by Vittorio Rossi, presented by Masters Insurance and co-presented with Villa Charities. The Chain is a filmed play where cinema meets theatre, and the theatre embraces the language of cinema. The original Quebec production follows the story of Tullio Testa, a working-class landscape contractor, who, after turning the business over to his younger son Massimo, is faced with the consequences of his actions that change the family dynamics forever. The event will be accompanied by an exclusive aperitif under the stars.
ICFF Champions | Thu. July 29th
In partnership with Team Revolution, the event will highlight Italy’s imprint in the world of sport with the powerful and complex drama, Il Caso Pantani by Domenico Ciolfi. The film explores the glorious rise and devastating fall of Italian cycling champion and fan-favourite cycling hero, Marco Pantani.
ICFF Moda 2021 | Fri. July 30th
This special event is dedicated to celebrating Italian fashion and its influence on worldwide trends. This year ICFF Moda will showcase Italian brands and new collections with a special focus on the iconic make-up industry. The special event, co-presented with Cosmetica Italia and the Italian Trade Commission, will include the screening of several short films by Gucci, Dior, Moschino, and Valentino. The event will feature dynamic panel discussions with renowned influencers and fashion designers, such as the beloved Italian make-up artist, Giuliana Arcarese, about the new trends that are shaping the industry. The event will also include a live make-up session with professional make-up artists.
The Festival is excited to bring back the most classic movie-going experience with in-person screenings thanks to the new outdoor cinema where people can socialize again, after long months of isolation. Through carefully curated special events, the initiative will provide Canadians the perfect opportunity to engage with the community in a safe, glamorous, and physically distanced manner.
