ICFF 2022
ANDREA FERRARI Ambassador of Italy, in Canada
INTRODUCTIONS | 7
In just a decade, the ICFF has become one of the most important events in Canada for the promotion of Italian arts and culture, with a special dedication to cinema. Film has the magical power to connect us, across societies and borders and to convey important messages and deep emotions, uniting audiences in the power of a shared experience. I am glad to see that this year the Festival is returning to in-person screenings and that several will take place under the stars in some of Toronto’s most pleasant outdoor spaces. The films in the program are firstclass productions and I am sure you will be delighted by them, as they are among the best new titles from major Italian directors. From comedies to dramas to documentaries, you will not want to miss this “assaggio“, this taste, of Italian culture and lifestyle as you enjoy the Canadian summer. The Festival also represents a great opportunity for the industry side of filmmaking, with important business events that further build and strengthen the connections between Canada and Italy in this dynamic sector. Special appreciation goes to the organizers, who have done a wonderful job of bringing to Canada this varied and engaging selection of films, among them the not-to-be-missed “Ennio“ by Giuseppe Tornatore, a loving look at the life and work of the late maestro Ennio Morricone, the Italian icon, whose music has marked the history of contemporary cinema. On this note, I wish you warm summer evenings under the spell of a captivating story, enjoyed once again in the company of fellow film lovers. “Buon cinema“ to all.
EUGENIO SGRO’ Consul General of Italy, in Toronto
I wish to extend my strongest appreciation to the directors, members of the Board and volunteers of the ICFF for this 11th edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival that has truly become an anticipated yearly appointment to discover Italy’s most recent film productions. Cinema is indisputably one of the forms of elaboration of a cultural vision of an era, in a specific historical moment. Spreading Italian cinema abroad therefore means spreading the cultural subjectivity of our country, its values, and distinctive characteristics. Cinema is a privileged instrument of guidance and understanding of the social and cultural dynamics in an evolving society, such as Italy. The ICFF in Canada is proudly supported by the Italian Embassy in Ottawa, the Consulates General of Italy in Toronto and in Montreal, along with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Toronto and in Montreal and the Italian Trade Commission, underlining the constant institutional support to this event. We congratulate ICFF as the Festival continues to bring a rich selection of films featuring some of Italy’s latest movie releases, along with timeless classics, in hopes that this event will stimulate the processes of thought and memory in its users which ultimately will bring our community closer to that of the country that hosts us.
