This year the Italian Contemporary Film Festival takes place in Toronto in the new Drive-In format. Thanks to the support of a well-known Italian roasting company, the Italian Embassy in Ottawa and ICFF offer the city’s public the chance to attend the Italian film festival while respecting the rules of social distancing imposed by COVID-19.
The opening night, for which tickets were sold for over 240 cars and 700 spectators, was opened by the Italian Ambassador to Canada Claudio Taffuri, and was attended by important personalities of Canadian politics, such as Federal Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino, Minister of Culture of the Province of Ontario Lisa McLeod, Minister of Mental Health of Ontario Michael Tibollo, Mayor of Toronto John Tory and Sergio Navarretta, director of the festival’s launch film “The Cuban”, an Italian Canadian film.
In perfect Drive-In style, and to maintain the necessary social distancing, all the interventions were broadcast live on the giant screen set up at Ontario Place.
“I have always strongly supported the initiatives of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival, and the idea of organising an event in Drive-In format, which will allow viewers to maintain the traditional summer appointment with Italian cinema in total safety, convinced me immediately – Ambassador Taffuri stated. Initiatives like this are what we really need at a time when we have to find innovative solutions so that we can be together without taking risks. We have therefore explored and identified alternative ways to promote and make Italian cinema known to Canadian audience, and the result was surprising given the great participation of this day”.
The Festival, part of the proceeds of which will be donated to the Italian Red Cross for the fight against Covid-19 epidemic, will continue until July 31st and the “focus Italy” will be flanked by screenings of selected international films from countries that have paid the highest tribute to Covid.
