Sheridan's SIRT showcases cutting-edge virtual production during ICFF Industry Day

Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre once again hosted the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) Industry Day. This year, the festival took place virtually on SIRT’s Stage 10 at Pinewood Toronto Studios on Dec. 2.

This showcase and networking event brought together filmmakers, producers and industry partners from Italy and Canada to showcase film excellence that crosses barriers and unites communities and countries through film, creativity and innovation. Morning sessions on co-production were led by ICFF, with SIRT hosting the afternoon sessions that included a real-time demonstration of their virtual production technology and a panel discussion on virtual production and emerging technologies for filmmaking. Moderated by SIRT’s Director, David Dexter, the panel featured innovative partners and leaders in the Canadian and Italian filmmaking industry including Gennaro Coppola, Producer and Director, Onemore Pictures; Brendan Taylor, President/VFX Supervisor at Mavericks VFX; and Andrea Spagna, Advisor for Marketing and Business Development, Istituto Luce Cinecittà.

“Our work puts SIRT on the cutting edge of the evolution of filmmaking,” said Dexter. “Partnering with ICFF and hosting Industry Day enables us to bridge the industry in Italy to Canada and demonstrate SIRT's innovative expertise to an international audience.”

The event provided a platform for both colleagues of and friends of ICFF and SIRT to discuss their upcoming projects. A few noted speakers included Nick Vallelonga, American Oscar-winning Producer for Green Book, who spoke during the “Meet the Masters” morning session; and for the final portion of the co-production panel, a featured discussion “In Conversation with Edoardo Ponti” as the Italian director and screenwriter spoke about his recent Netflix film, The Life Ahead, which stars his mother and famed actress, Sophia Loren.

"Since day one, the mandate of the Festival has been to bring people and cultures together; in particular, from Italy and Canada. This year, even if we were forced to be apart, we managed to connect over 300 industry professionals, and I’m so proud of what ICFF and its partner SIRT have been able to accomplish to stimulate and facilitate many new collaboration projects,” said Cristiano De Florentiis, Artistic Director, ICFF.

For more information please visit the ICFF Industry Day website.

About Sheridan's Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre

About the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF)

The ICFF, presented by IC Savings, is one of the most highly-anticipated cultural events of the summer in Toronto and across Canada. Having assembled a loyal base of nearly 50,000 attendees per year, the ICFF, established in 2012 as a non-profit festival showcasing less than 10 films, has transformed into a nine-day celebration of Italian excellence. Today, it is one of the leading and most successful festivals of its kind, and the largest Italian film festival outside of Italy. With special events highlighting the best of Italian food, wine, fashion, music, literature, architecture and industry developments, ICFF is committed to celebrating Italian heritage, and bringing together artists and entrepreneurs from around the globe and connecting them with our diverse audience.

Each year, the ICFF is proud to present an inspiring lineup of films - the best from newly released Italian and international cinema. Using the power of the moving image to both entertain and educate, ICFF has become a driving force in the film industry and has lead to the creation of numerous successful co-productions, as it continually strives to bridge the path between Europe and North America. Visit www.icff.ca for more information.