Lavazza IncluCity returns to Distillery with global stars
The multicultural film and arts festival runs June 25 through July 19 with Patrick Dempsey and Ornella Muti as headline guests.
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The 2026 Lavazza IncluCity Festival transforms the Distillery District into an open-air cinema village starting Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, July 19, with more than 250,000 attendees expected.
The Italian Contemporary Film Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, welcoming acclaimed international guests. Patrick Dempsey, the Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated star of Grey's Anatomy, will be Guest of Honour at the Closing Gala at TIFF Lightbox, followed by a gala dinner at the Ritz-Carlton. Ornella Muti, one of Italy's most acclaimed actresses and Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner, will headline the Distillery's Closing festivities on July 19.
This year's festival features unprecedented scale: a new 40-foot digital screen and a never-before-seen infinity mirror tower in the main square. Programming includes the immersive AI art exhibition AiRTIFICIAL VISIONS at Illuminarium Toronto (June 25–July 25), the "Fashion Frames" exhibit of costumes from Italy's Golden Age cinema, and premieres from over 20 countries.
A special Focus on China and Italian cinema programming anchor the festival alongside partnerships with Italian Screens. The festival also integrates soccer; World Cup viewing will take place throughout the venue starting June 11.
"This year's defining themes are energy, community, and innovation," said Cristiano de Florentiis, Executive Director of ICFF. "We are tremendously proud to present a festival that once again goes above and beyond the classic cinema experience."