TORONTO, Canada – After a month of events that began on June 27th, the ICFF, presented by Lavazza, celebrated its 2024 Closing Gala, sponsored by CIBC, with a never-before-seen event dedicated to Isabella Rossellini at The Hearn, the decommissioned power plant transformed into a luxurious venue for the occasion.
The gala, which hosted over 450 guests, honoured the legendary Italian-American actress, model, and filmmaker, Isabella Rossellini, for her contributions to cinema, fashion, art, and the Italian legacy abroad, and bestowed her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Isabella Rossellini graced the stage at the Hearn to present, in English, her first-ever masterclass for an international audience that delved into her life and career.
Through a unique stage setup that featured four screen walls, a central stage, and cinema seating with the festival’s staple couches, Rossellini discussed her past roles in renowned films such as “Blue Velvet”, “The Saddest Music in The World”, and “Wild at Heart” but also dove into her personal life stories, her Master’s Degree in animal behaviour, and her iconic modelling achievements.
Officially announcing the release of her 39th Vogue cover next September, Rossellini has long been an icon of cinema, beauty, and talent, serving as the brand ambassador for Lancôme for over 14 years.
During her masterclass, Rossellini also shared news of her return to Toronto in September to present her upcoming film, “Conclave” directed by Edward Berger.The former generating station, now owned by Studios of American, located just a few miles from the festival village at the Distillery District, has served as the perfect venue for the gala celebrating a cinema royal being a set of many international series and films such as “Stark Trek: Discovery,” “Shazam!”, “Pacific Rim”, “Shadowhunters” and more.
For the event, the venue was completely transformed into a high-end space, featuring elegant dining tables, cocktail bars, live music, a multi-stage setup, and stunning wall projections by Christie®. The ambiance was further enhanced by canopies and neon lights throughout the venue provided by William F. White and Philips Hue, creating a breathtaking atmosphere that left everyone speechless.
Cristiano de Florentiis, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of ICFF, remarked, “Transforming The Hearn for this gala was a monumental task, but it was worth every effort. The evening was one for the books, and having Isabella Rossellini as our guest of honour made it unforgettable; her influence in the arts and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the world and we have been proud to showcase that during our gala.”
The Closing Gala officially wrapped up the 13th edition of the month-long festival, which reached immense success, receiving a remarkable turnout from audiences and media alike. From its transformation of the Distillery Historic District into a lively festival village, recording over 240,000 visitors, to its legendary Closing Gala, the ICFF has once again taken a step further and raised the bar for events, proving itself to be an organization that exemplifies creativity, culture, and innovation within the entertainment industry.
While the festival continues in Montreal with screenings and events throughout August, ICFF is also preparing to return to Venice on August 31st for its annual Industry Days conference and reception. In partnership with Telefilm Canada, this event will take place during the Venice Production Bridge, where the festival will present the results of its recent edition and explore new horizons for co-productions and collaborations between Italy and Canada.
The ICFF 2024 was possible thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa.
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