The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) at the 81st Venice International Film Festival highlighted the growing collaboration between Italian and Canadian cinema. On August 31st, 2024, the conference at Spazio Incontri – Hotel Excelsior attracted over one hundred industry professionals. The event celebrated co-productions between Italy and Canada, showcasing remarkable achievements in film.
Opening Remarks by Hussein Amarshi
Hussein Amarshi, founder and president of Mongrel Media, opened the event. He emphasized the cultural exchange between Italy and Canada through the distribution of Italian films. Amarshi highlighted how these films have enriched Canadian audiences, demonstrating the power of cinema to bridge cultures.
Prestigious Awards Celebrate Excellence
Several prestigious awards were presented during the event, including:
- Best TV Series Award for Marconi to Maria Pia Ammirati, Head of RAI Fiction
- People’s Choice Award for Nata per te to Fabio Mollo
- Jury Prize to The Braid with Marc Missonnier and Fotini Peluso
Maria Pia Ammirati expressed her gratitude for the recognition of her team’s work on Marconi, which shines a light on the remarkable Italian scientist who connected the world.
Strengthening Italy-Canada Ties
ICFF’s strong partnership with Telefilm Canada was instrumental in the event’s success. Support from the Italian Government, including the Italian Embassy in Ottawa and the Italian Consulates in Toronto, also played a key role. ICFF continues to promote Italian-Canadian cinema collaboration through events like these.
ICFF’s Impact Beyond Venice
The conference acknowledged the success of ICFF’s IncluCity Festival, held at Toronto’s Distillery District since 2022. Christie Digital’s advanced projectors enabled high-quality outdoor screenings, transforming the area into a unique cultural hub.
Celebrating New Projects
A major highlight was the announcement of Archiwine & Canadian Winescapes, a project exploring Canadian and Italian wine landscapes. This initiative demonstrated how cinema intertwines with culture, creating meaningful connections.
Other co-productions introduced included L’Amore Vince La Guerra, which delves into the Italian-Canadian connection during WWII, and Forbidden Music, a documentary celebrating First Nations and Jewish heritage. These projects reflect the continued cultural exchange between the two nations.
The event concluded with a vibrant networking session, where industry professionals celebrated these achievements and forged new collaborations.
For more insights on ICFF’s IncluCity Festival in Toronto, check out our coverage [here] (Insert link to ICFF IncluCity Festival article for Live in Italy Magazine).
