Italian Contemporary Film Festival

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Italian Contemporary Film Festival
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
FoundedJune, 2012, 10 years ago
Festival dateJune (dates vary but generally coinciding with the Italian Heritage Month)
LanguageEnglish and Italian
Websitewww.icff.ca

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) is a not-for-profit, publicly attended Italian film festival, programming both films from Italy, and Canadian films about Italian-Canadian culture. Founded in 2012 in Toronto, ICFF has grown from a 4-day, single-venue festival of 18 films, to a 10-day, 9-city festival of over 130 feature films, documentaries and short films.[1]

The ICFF has a monthly program with screenings and events held in its main cities, a Youth Festival program and its main June Festival initiative.

Every year ICFF takes place during the month of June in celebration of Ontario’s Italian Heritage Month with screenings in the cities of Toronto, Vaughan, Vancouver, Hamilton, Markham, Niagara, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.[2] The ICFF festival screenings in Toronto are held at the TIFF Bell LightBox. The ICFF also runs special events and international programs throughout the year, which aim to involve different niche audiences.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, in 2020 the 9th edition of the ICFF took place online. In both 2020 and 2021, in light of the pandemic the ICFF and corporate sponsor Lavazza also organized the special Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival, a screening series of films presented at a drive-in theatre at Ontario Place; the Lavazza Festival included some Italian films in its program, but programmed a diversity of films representing a broad cross-section of Canadian and international multicultural films rather than being exclusively Italian-themed.[3]

History[]

2012 – 1st Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2013 – 2nd Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2014 – 3rd Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2015 – 4th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2016 – 5th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2017 – 6th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2018 – 7th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2019 – 8th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2020 – 9th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

Postponed due the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival took place online from November 29 to December 8.

  • Films screened: 18 films
  • Shorts screened: 28 shorts
  • Notable films featured: / Aspromonte - la terra degli ultimi, Tolo Tolo, , Hidden Away/Volevo nascondermi, All My Crazy Love/Volare
  • Opening Film: Fellinopolis, Directed by: , Italy
  • Cities: Canada-wide online program[25][26][27]

2021 – 10th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

The festival took place both with drive-in screenings and open-air events from June 19 to August 2.[28][29][30][31]

Special Events[]

Part of ICFF’s mandate is to celebrate Italian culture in all its aspects and each year ICFF organizes different events and initiatives to display renowned Italian traditions.

ICFF Industry Day[]

Industry Day is an annual event which first launched in 2015. The event poses an opportunity for filmmakers and industry professionals to network and share ideas, which in past editions has led to collaborations and co-production projects. ICFF Industry Day discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by the industry, startups and talent development. The day-long program includes panel discussions and industry professionals who discuss their experiences working on Italian-Canadian productions and share ideas for the next phase of co-productions between the two countries.[32]

Guest speakers in recent years included: Academy Award winning composer, Nicola Piovani, for Life is Beautiful and Oscar Award winning producer and screenwriter, Nick Vallelonga,[33] for Green Book. Film institutions who participated in the event include: Telefilm Canada, , , Rogers Communications, SIRT, Indigo Film and Istituto Luce Cinecittà.

ICFF Architettura & Design[]

The annual event showcases the work and contributions from Italian architects and designers who have influenced this industry. The event includes a combination of film screenings and panel discussions where industry professionals share their outlook on new industry developments, challenges and upcoming opportunities.[34]

ICFF Letteratura[]

ICFF Letteratura is an event that hosts poets, novels and poem writers who are the centre of a film or an important part of the story. The event aims to underline and celebrate the importance of Italian-Canadian writers and poets in Canada, giving them a platform to share their works.[35]

ICFF in the Vineyard[]

This ICFF annual event brings together film, wine and food in partnership with in Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario. Its aim is to celebrate Italy’s gastronomic culture, flavours and food traditions through a film screening that accompanies the experience at the vineyard. The evening features Two Sisters Vineyards wines accompanied by Italian dishes.[36]

ICFF Call the Shots[]

Call The Shots is an annual event that celebrates and honours women’s achievements in thought, leadership, and action. Call the Shots: Female Power Through Film tackles various themes and subject matter from the perspective of women who have achieved great success and become experts in their respective fields. In every aspect, in every field, and in every sector - be it filmmaking, journalism, the arts or industrial entrepreneurship - our guests represent the Canadian and Italian-Canadian women making an impact on their community and society as a whole.[37][38]

ICFF Care[]

Every year ICFF focuses on a community building social justice event, discussing and supporting communities affected by unfortunate events. In 2018 the event was dedicated to support those affected by the earthquakes that ravaged Italy in 2017.

Apericena at ICFF[]

Each year ICFF, in honour of TIFF, organizes a networking dinner-aperitivo night.

This is an event open to everyone in the industry and the Italian delegation at TIFF. Invitations are sent to celebrate Italian films in partnership with TIFF, as well as an early look at the next year's ICFF program.

ICFF Motori[]

The event brings together all car enthusiasts from both Italian and Canadian backgrounds, who have an interest in learning more about the history, culture and manufacturing through films and documentaries. ICFF hosts discussion opportunities with film directors and actors as well as panels for further exploration of the theme.

ICFF Arte[]

ICFF Arte is an annual initiative that showcases films and documentaries focused on some of the most influential Italian artists in modern and contemporary art.

ICFF Cucina[]

Every year ICFF Cucina honours the Italian culinary traditions through a program that combines film and food. ICFF presents movies and panel discussions about the most classic and traditional dishes that characterize the cuisine "made in Italy”.

ICFF Cycling[]

ICFF Cycling is an initiative that takes the audience on a tour which celebrates this very sport and the champions who made Italian cycling history.

ICFF Moda[]

ICFF Moda is an event that encompasses three important elements of the Italian experience: food, film and fashion. This initiative features a fashion show inclusive of local and notable Italian brands and designers, accompanied by short films focused on Italian fashion.[39]

ICFF Befana in Vaughan[]

This event focuses on a longstanding tradition in Italian culture known as “befana”. The initiative takes place every year in Vaughan, where the day is filled with events and activities dedicated to children.[40]

Opening Party[]

The ICFF festival opens each year with an official ‘Opening Party’ for guests. The event signifies the start of the 10-day festival week that celebrates all things Italian.

Closing Gala[]

The ICFF festival closes each year at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel with an official Closing Gala Award Ceremony. Guests attend for a sit-down dinner followed by presentations, performances and award hand-outs to the star guests in attendance.

ICFF Youth Film Festival[]

ICFF Youth is the annual film programme of ICFF that promotes film as an art form using the platform of International Cinema, while providing students (ages 8 to 18) with exposure to a variety of cultures and languages.

The program includes feature films, documentaries, animations and shorts. It provides educators with an alternate teaching strategy that respects a variety of learning styles.

The mission of ICFF Youth is two-fold:

1. To use cinema as a tool to enrich students’ analytical and critical skills while learning about key elements of the art of filmmaking.

2. To give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of International languages and culture while enjoying the best of contemporary International Cinema.[41]

Eight to ten movies are selected each year for screenings set in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, North York and Toronto. The films are screened in their original language (Italian, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish and Portuguese) with English subtitles,[42] and come with pedagogical material provided to all participating teachers. All suggested activities and strategies are based on the Ontario Curriculum which serves as a guide for all prepared educational material.

Awards[]

2012 – 1st Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2012 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Kryptonite! Ivan Cotroneo Italy
2 IC Savings Award The Vanishing of Pato Italy
3 Film Critics Award Terraferma Emanuele Crialese Italy
4 Best Short Pizza Bagel Joe Mari Canada

2013 – 2nd Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2013 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award A Perfect Family Paolo Genovese Italy
2 IC Savings Award Real Gangsters Frank D'Angelo Canada
3 Film Critics Award Berberian Sound Studio Peter Strickland Canada
4 Best Short Buongiorno Sig. Bellavista Alessandro Marinaro Italy
2013 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Walter Nudo Actor
2 Best Actor Nicolas Vaporidis

for Night Before the Exams

Actor
3 Special Achievement Award Robert Loggia Actor

2014 – 3rd Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2014 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Sotto una buona stella Carlo Verdone Italy
2 IC Savings Award Stay Away from Me Alessio Maria Federici Italy
3 Film Critics Award First Snowfall Andrea Segre Italy
4 Best Short Bella di notte Paolo Zucca Italy
2014 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Vittoria Puccini

Steven Baldwin

Danny Glover

Actress

Actor

Actor

2 Lifetime Achievement Award Carlo Verdone Actor
3 Special Achievement Award Monika Bacardi Producer
4 Best Actor Enrico Brignano

for Stay Away from Me

Actor
5 Best Screenplay Martina Stella Screenwriter, Actress
6 Special Award for Contribution to the Canadian Film Industry Nick Mancuso Actor

2015 – 4th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2015 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award The Legendary Giulia and Other Miracles Edoardo Leo Italy
2 IC Savings Award The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship Sergio Navaretta Canada
3 Film Critics Award The Invisible Boy Gabriele Salvatores Italy
4 Best Short Due Piedi Sinistri Isabella Salvetti Italy
2015 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Ficarra and Picone
Vincenzo Nisco
Actors

Producer and Art Director

2 Lifetime Achievement Award Roberto Benigni
Nicoletta Braschi
Actor
Actress
3 Award of Honor Mischa Barton Actress
4 Honour of Recognition as Italian Ambassador of Cinema in the World Andrea Iervolino Producer
5 Best Director Marco Turco, L'Oriana Director

2016 – 5th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2016 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Quo Vado? Gennaro Nunziante Italy
2 Film Critics Award They Call Me Jeeg Robot Gabriele Mainetti Italy
3 Best Short Rèsce La Lune Giulia Di Battista and Gloria Kurnik Italy
2016 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Gennaro Nunziante

Checco Zalone

Director

Actor

2 Lifetime Achievement Award Claudia Cardinale Actress
3 IC Savings Award for Best Producer Andrea Iervolino Producer
4 Special Achievement Award Renzo Martinelli Director

2017 – 6th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2017 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award At War with Love Pierfrancesco Diliberto aka Pif Italy
2 IC Savings Award Piper Alan Barillaro United States
3 Film Critics Award Fiore Claudio Giovannesi Italy
4 Best Short Office Kingdom Salvatore Centoducati, Eleonora Bertolucci, Ruben Pirito, Giulio De Toma Italy
2017 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Ruth Borgobello Director
2 Lifetime Achievement Award Christian De Sica Actor
3 Special Achievement Award Tony Nardi Actor
4 Best Actress Paola Cortellesi

for Mom or Dad? and Something New

Actress
5 Trilogy Award Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Giannini, Franco Nero

for The Neighbourhood

Actors

2018 – 7th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2018 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Tulipani, Love, Honour and a Bicycle Mike van Diem Canada
2 IC Savings Award Road to the Lemon Grove Canada
3 Film Critics Award Couch Potatoes Francesca Archibugi Italy
4 Best Short Framed Marco Jemolo Italy
2018 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Giuseppe Battiston

Fabio Rovazzi

Daniel Baldwin

Tobi Sebastian

Actor

Actor

Actor

Actor

2 Lifetime Achievement Award Claudio Bisio Actor
3 Special Achievement Award Antonio Albanese Actor
4 Best Actor Marcello Fonte

for Dogman

Actor
5 Best Actress Marta Gastini for Compulsion Actress
6 Best Producer Andrea Iervolino Producer
7 Empire Community Award J. Miles Dale, Dennis Bernardi, Nick Iannelli, Luca Nemolato, Roberto Campanella

for The Shape of Water

2019 – 8th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2019 Film Awards
No. Awards Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Io sono Mia Italy
2 People's Choice Award Nati due volte Italy
3 IC Savings Award From the Vine Sean Cisterna Canada, Italy
4 Film Critics Award Daughter of Mine Laura Bispuri Italy
5 Best Short Inanimate Lucia Bulgheroni Italy
2019 Individual Awards
No. Awards Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence

Marco Spagnoli
Sebastian Maniscalco
Broadcaster
Director
Director
Actor, Stand-up Comedian
2 Lifetime Achievement Award Nicola Piovani Composer
3 Special Achievement Award Ezio Greggio

Virginia Raffaele

Actor, Comedian

Actor, Comedian

Journalist

Producer

4 Empire Community Award Nick Vallelonga

for Green Book

Producer
5 Best Actress Jennifer Dale

for Into Invisible Light

Actress
6 Best Producer Luca Barbareschi

for Dolceroma, Modalità aereo, and Io sono Mia

Producer

2020 – 9th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2020 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Aspromonte: Land of the Forgotten Mimmo Calopresti Italy
2 Best Documentary Fellinopolis Italy
3 Best Short Matilde's First Day Rosario Capozzolo Italy
2020 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Producer
2 Special Achievement Award Sarah Gadon Actress
3 Best Actor Riccardo Scamarcio

for If Only

Actor
4 Best Actress Ana Golja

for The Cuban

Actress

2021 – 10th Italian Contemporary Film Festival[]

2021 Film Awards
No. Award Winner Director Country/Region
1 People's Choice Award Out of My League Alice Filippi Italy
2 Empire Community Award The Chain Vittorio Rossi Canada
3 Best Short Film Slow Giovanni Boscolo and Daniele Nozzi Italy
4 Film Critics Award You Came Back Stefano Mordini Italy
2021 Individual Awards
No. Award Winner Title
1 Award of Excellence Deanna Marsigliese, Enrico Casarosa, Moira Romano, Roberto Stabile Character Art Director, Director, Producer, Head of International Relations, ANICA
2 Special Achievement Award Vincenzo Guzzo CEO Guzzo Cinemàs
3 Lifetime Achievement Award George Gallo Director
4 Best Actor Jaime Camil

for My boyfriend's Meds

Actor
5 Best Actress Toni Colette

for Dream Horse

Actress
6 Best Director Alice Filippi for Out of My League Director
7 Best Producer Maurizio Paganelli

for EST

Producer

References[]

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  2. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival". Filmitalia. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  3. ^ Jane Stevenson, "Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival back at Ontario Place this summer". Toronto Sun, June 5, 2021.
  4. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival's inaugural year presents new Woody Allen film". thetfs.ca. 2012-10-20. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  5. ^ Torontoist (2012-06-27). "Say Hello to the Italian Contemporary Film Festival". Torontoist. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  6. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival coming to TIFF". Toronto.com. 2012-10-22. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  7. ^ "The new Italian film festival in Toronto". Toronto.com. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  8. ^ "ICFF 2013 Gala Opening & Top Films". MyETVmedia. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  9. ^ "Benvenuto Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2013!". Hye's Musings. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  10. ^ Rideout, T. D. (2014-06-12). "ICFF – Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2014". The Mind Reels. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  11. ^ Small, Courtney (2015-05-13). "Italian Contemporary Film Festival Launches its 2015 Program". Cinema Axis. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  12. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2015". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  13. ^ "Films to See: ICFF 2015". MyETVmedia. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  14. ^ Festival, Italian Contemporary Film. "Italian Contemporary Film Festival launches its 2016 program". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  15. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2016". Hye's Musings. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
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  17. ^ "The Sixth Annual Italian Contemporary Film Festival". NUVO. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  18. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2017". City Life Vaughan Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  19. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2017". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  20. ^ "ICFF concludes with a record-high attendance". City Life Vaughan Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  21. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2018". Toronto Arts and Events. 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  22. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2018". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  23. ^ Cines. "Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2019". Cine in Style. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
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  25. ^ "Italian cinema, now from the comfort of your living room". Rogers. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  26. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival goes virtual across the country". TheBUZZ Magazine. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  27. ^ "ICFF @ Home - Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2020". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  28. ^ "Lavazza Drive-in Film Festival returns for another year". National Post. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  29. ^ "Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival back at Ontario Place this summer". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  30. ^ June 16, Pat Mullen |; 2021; Pm, 7:48 (2021-06-16). "Lavazza Drive-In Returns with Luca and Sunny Vibes". That Shelf. Retrieved 2021-09-22.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Toronto just got a new open-air movie theatre next to the waterfront". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  32. ^ "Italia-Canada: l'ICFF riduce la "social distance"". politicamentecorretto.com (in Italian). 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  33. ^ "Italian Contemporary Film Festival Industry Day". Sirt. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  34. ^ "ICFF Architettura & Design". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  35. ^ "ICFF Literature". Italian Contemporary Film Festival.
  36. ^ "Icff in the Vineyard". Italian Contemporary Film Festival.
  37. ^ "Call the Shots Archive". Italian Contemporary Film Festival.
  38. ^ "ICFF Call the Shots: Female Power through Film Telling the Story". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  39. ^ "ICFF Moda". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  40. ^ "ICFF Befana - A children's Italian holiday tradition!". iictoronto.esteri.it. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  41. ^ "ICFF Youth". Italian Contemporary Film Festival.
  42. ^ "Cristiano de Florentiis on the ICFF and the State of Italian Cinema in Canada". Accenti Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
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