A Starry Summer of Cinema: Lavazza IncluCity and ICFF 2025 Unveil Spectacular Lineup with Susan Sarandon as Guest of Honour
The Lavazza IncluCity Festival and the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) return to light up Toronto’s Distillery Historic District with a dazzling 14th edition, running June 27 to July 20. With Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon headlining as Guest of Honour, the city’s premier multicultural film and arts event promises 25 days of films, concerts, cultural tributes, and gourmet experiences under the stars.
Following last year’s award-winning gala, the festival kicks off with the North American premiere of Napoli – New York by Gabriele Salvatores and an immersive opening party at the Illuminarium, blending vintage Italian cinema glamour with modern visuals. The Lavazza IncluCity Opening Night features Juliet and Romeo (Canadian premiere), a vibrant musical retelling of Shakespeare’s classic, with the cast and crew attending in person.
In a bold move, ICFF launches “Toronto Screens Toronto,” a new series honouring the city’s cinematic identity. Highlights include a 15th anniversary screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, What If, and The Darkest Miriam, and a tribute to the late industry giant Paul Bronfman, a key figure in Toronto’s film infrastructure.
Music is this year’s unifying theme, inspiring daily public concerts as part of “TO The Beat,” the revival of Opera Night, and a new night dedicated to contemporary Italian pop. Music-themed films feature prominently, including Hans Zimmer & Friends, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Los Frikis, weaving sonic storytelling throughout the festival.
The program also welcomes esteemed filmmakers Antonio and Marco Manetti (the Manetti Bros), who will lead an Industry Days panel on adapting graphic novels for screen, tied to their film Diabolik: Who Are You?.
Beyond cinema, the ICFF Architettura & Design program partners with Toronto Metropolitan University to present the first Canadian exhibition by Mario Cucinella Architects, with Cucinella delivering a keynote on July 8 and the international premiere of Nuvola, a documentary about Lavazza’s HQ in Turin.
For thrill-seekers, The Dark Side horror series returns with classics and contemporary spine-chillers, including the 50th anniversary of Profondo Rosso and premieres like The Weekend and Borderline.
The festival will conclude with Ferzan Özpetek’s Diamonds, winner of the 2025 David di Donatello Audience Award, and a spotlight on Filipino culture, featuring concerts and the Canadian premiere of Song of the Fireflies.
With over 30 premieres, community events, and star-studded appearances, ICFF 2025 reaffirms its status as a vibrant celebration of multicultural storytelling and cinematic artistry in Toronto.
Tickets are available for purchase now at https://icff.ca/.
