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TORONTO, Ontario, Canada – The ICFF and Lavazza IncluCity Festival are proud to unveil the full program for this year’s 14th edition and to announce the Guest of Honour: Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon. Kicking off on June 27 and running through July 20, the festival promises another show-stopping edition in the vibrant, Distillery Historic District, featuring an unmissable lineup of events, screenings, concerts, panel discussions, and more — all accompanied by everyone’s favourite aperitivo; tasting experiences on the iconic festival couches.
ICFF’s Opening Night, features the North American Premiere of Napoli – New York (Italy) by Academy Award-winning director Gabriele Salvatores, followed by an exclusive opening party at the Illuminarium, where the glamour of golden-age Italian cinema meets cutting-edge visual storytelling.
The Lavazza IncluCity Opening Night presents the Canadian Premiere of Juliet and Romeo by Timothy Scott Bogart — a modern musical reimagining of the iconic love story, featuring a pop-driven soundtrack. The director, producers, and lead cast will be in attendance, making for a night of unforgettable performances both on and off screen.
Following a remarkable season of accomplishments — including ICFF’s 2024 Closing Gala being named Best Event at the Canadian Event Awards — the festival is set to elevate its game once again with a spectacular return to the Hearn for its grand finale. This year, the presence of Hollywood powerhouse Susan Sarandon — the globally-acclaimed actress celebrated for her unforgettable roles in Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show — sets the tone for a festival defined by cinematic prestige and star power.
In line with its ongoing commitment to being a stand-out city event, ICFF is introducing a new initiative: Toronto Screens Toronto. This program celebrates the city not only as a film location but as a cinematic protagonist in its own right. The series will also pay tribute to Paul Bronfman, the late founder of William F. White and Pinewood Toronto Studios, whose legacy helped shape Toronto into a world-class production hub. Highlights include the 15th anniversary screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Edgar Wright, What If by Michael Dowse, and The Darkest Miriam by Naomi Jaye.
“In a year that has tested festivals nationwide, I’m proud of the bold program we’re launching today,” said Cristiano de Florentiis, Co-founder and Artistic Director of ICFF. “With all-day public concerts at the Distillery District, over 30 premieres, and a spectacular Closing Gala at the Hearn featuring one of Hollywood’s elite, this is without a doubt our most ambitious edition yet.”
One of this year’s main themes is music, which serves as the festival’s fil rouge for many special events. From daily public concerts part of the “TO The Beat” series, to the triumphant return of Opera Night and a new Serata celebrating contemporary Italian pop, ICFF will shake up the site with rhythm and emotion throughout its 25 days.
In the spirit of this theme, ICFF is proud to welcome the addition of several films to the program that dedicate themselves to music in cinema – from the musical drama Juliet & Romeo, the French comedy The Marching Band, the heartfelt UK-Irish drama The Ballad of Wallis Island, the inspiring German music documentary and concert film Hans Zimmer & Friends, the Cuban coming-of-age feature Los Frikis, and the renowned cult-favourite Canadian title Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – these films truly showcase the spirit of music through the catalyst of film.
Each day of the festival is sure to be curated and a unique experience — with different communities, guests, food, and entertainment — collectively creating a heartfelt love letter to multicultural cinema, music and entertainment.
For its 14th edition, ICFF is honoured to welcome celebrated Italian filmmakers Antonio and Marco Manetti (the Manetti Bros) in partnership with Cinecittà. As part of Industry Days, they will lead a panel titled Ink to Action: Comic Characters on Screen, focused on adapting graphic novels for film, centered around their feature Diabolik: Who Are You?. Their latest film U.S. Palmese (North American Premiere) and the Canadian Premiere of Love and Bullets will also screen during the festival.
The ICFF Architettura & Design program remains a key pillar of the festival. This year, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), the program welcomes internationally acclaimed architect Mario Cucinella. His visit includes a keynote presentation at Canadian Stage (July 8), and the first-ever Canadian exhibition by Mario Cucinella Architects (MCA) at TMU (July 9). ICFF will also host the International Premiere of Nuvola: An Open Project for the City, a documentary on the Lavazza headquarters in Turin, directed by Francesca Molteni, who will be in attendance.
The festival also returns with the third edition of The Dark Side, its curated horror program. Held under moody red lights, the series will feature chilling classics like the 50th anniversary screening of Profondo Rosso (Italy) and contemporary thrillers such as The Weekend (Nigeria) and Borderline (USA).
The festival will close its Italian lineup with the Canadian Premiere of Diamonds by Ferzan Özpetek, winner of the David of the Audience at the 2025 David di Donatello Awards, and will wrap up its international programming with a special celebration of the Filipino community through a dedicated day of concerts, cultural activities, and the Canadian Premiere of Song of the Fireflies.