Italian Contemporary Film Festival


The Italian Contemporary Film Festival is a publicly attended film festival that takes place in Toronto, Ontario during the month of June in celebration of Ontario’s Italian Heritage Month.
The festival presents an international collection of feature films, documentaries and shorts, including premieres, advance screenings and independent films. Screenings are supplemented by social events attended by celebrities from Italy or of Italian heritage, guest appearances by filmmakers, actors, authors, academics and other speakers and complemented by Q&A sessions.

Premieres

The first edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival was held in Toronto, Ontario between June 26 and July 1, 2012. Films have been screened in three GTA venues including the prestigious TIFF Bell Lightbox.

ICFF 2012 Film Selection

Feature Films
  1. Basilicata coast to coast
  2. Che bella giornata
  3. Habemus Papam
  4. Il Gioiellino
  5. Immaturi Il viaggio
  6. La Kryptonite Nella Borsa
  7. La Giusta Distanza
  8. La Scomparsa Di Pató
  9. Posti In Piedi In Paradiso
  10. Terraferma
  11. To Rome With Love
  12. Anna, Teresa e Le Resistenti


Documentaries and Short Films
  1. Canadian West Coast directed by Cristiano de Florentiis
From the Bay of Vancouver, a journey winds across the mountains and the ocean, traveling through a land that reminds the observer of the Garden of Eden. A documentary, a road movie about British Columbia narrated by members of the Italian community living in B.C.
  1. Letter One directed by Tony Nardi
This film is based on letters sent to "middle-men" of the Canadian cultural scene: a film/television producer and two theatre critics. ICFF presents the first letter, Letter One, which articulates an actor/writer’s struggle with cultural stereotypes in Canadian theatre/film/TV. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Italian Canadian actors, directors and film critics.
  1. Piazza Petawawa directed by Rino Noto
This documentary honours the experiences of individuals who were interned during World War II in the Petawawa concentration camp for being ‘enemy aliens.’
  1. Pizza Bagel directed by Joe Mari
Pizza Bagel takes a comedic look at intercultural dating while poking fun at Mediterranean cuisine and unabashedly patriotic soccer celebrations.

ICFF 2012 Awards

films are subjected to both a public vote and a review by the Toronto Film Critics Association. The winning film will receive the ICFF Audience Award and will be honoured with a statuette created by renowned artist Silvio Mastrodascio. A second award will be conferred by the TFCA.
People’s Choice Award



The People’s Choice Award, voted by festival audiences, went to Ivan Cotroneo’s La Kryptonite Nella Borsa. Actress Monica Nappo was present to accept the award.
Angela Baldassarre Award



The Angela Baldassare Award for Best Film, established in honour of the late Toronto film critic, was awarded to Emanuele Crialese’s Terraferma by members of the Toronto Film Critics Association.
IC Savings Award



The IC Savings Award for best contribution to Italian social and cultural values was presented to La Scomparsa Di Pató and to its director and screenwriter, Rocco Mortelliti, who was present to accept the award.