Enormous open-air movie and arts festival coming to Toronto this month

Summer is just around the corner, and Toronto's historic Distillery District will once again transform into an open-air cinema village for the season, starting this month.

The 2025 Lavazza IncluCity Festival, one of Canada's premier multicultural arts celebrations, takes place this year from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 29.

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF), organizer of IncluCity, has grown the event to spotlight 15 different local communities, drawing more than 250,000 attendees annually.

Each year features unique programming showcasing music, art, dance, design and cinema. And, 2025 has a stellar lineup.

The festivities will kick off with an ICFF opening night party with a special North American premiere screening Naples to New York, directed by Gabriele Salvatores. 

ICFF

Opening night will feature the Canadian premiere of Timothy Scott Bogart's Juliet and Romeo, a modern musical that reimagines the timeless love story featuring a pop-driven soundtrack. The director, producers and lead cast of the film will all be in attendance during the festivities, too.

ICFF also has a new initiative as part of IncluCity, called Toronto Screens Toronto, which celebrates the city as both a filming location and star in its own right. Highlights of the program include screenings of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Edgar Wright, What If by Michael Dowse and The Darkest Miriam by Naomi Jaye.

The fan-favourite Dark Side of Lavazza IncluCity Festival will also return this year, with horror flicks taking centre stage.

Additionally, screen legend Susan Sarandon will serve as this year's guest of honour and will appear at the Closing Gala.

Tickets for Toronto screenings at the Distillery District include a tasting experience with Masi Prosecco, Birra Moretti or a Campari cocktail, along with Lavazza coffee and delicious bites from Ferrero, Barilla and Eataly.

There will also be a blend of free daytime programming and ticketed evening events so that everyone can enjoy this year's fest.

"In a year that has tested festivals nationwide, I'm proud of the bold program we're launching," Cristiano de Florentiis, co-founder and artistic director of ICFF, says in a release.

"With all-day public concerts at the Distillery District, over 30 film premieres and a spectacular Closing Gala at the Hearn featuring one of Hollywood's elite, this is without a doubt our most ambitious edition yet."

Tickets are on sale now — be sure to check out the full schedule to reserve your spot.