ICFF A Special Evening with Giancarlo Esposito – In Conversation at TIFF Lightbox and a Gala Evening at Casa Loma

By Sally Warburton

The ICFF – The Italian Contemporary Film Festival had an exciting event on Friday, November 29, 2024. Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito,American actor of Italian heritage, was the focus! Best known for his part as Gus Fring in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad as well as the series Better Call Saul. The award-winning actor was born in Denmark. His father from Naples, Italy and his mother an African-American opera singer from Alabama, USA. The family moved to Manhattan, NYC when Esposito was 6 and that’s where he grew up. November 29th was a special night of conversation where Esposito discussed his career and his rich Italian roots.

Esposito’s career spans early works on Miami Vice and The Usual Suspects.Prime Video’s The Boys.

The special panel was hosted by Canadian filmmaker and actor, Matt Johnson. A captivating audience was in attendance enjoying learning about his life and career and hearing about future projects from the conversation with this brilliant actor. TIFF Lightbox is always the perfect venue for this.

After the In Conversation with Giancarlo Esposito at TIFF Lightbox, guests headed north to the exclusive party at Casa Loma. To welcome guests, A Night with Giancarlo Esposito with his picture was projected on the outside walls of Casa Loma. Magnificent with the blue lights lighting up the Castle!

Inside Casa Loma was beautifully decorated throughout the venue for the holiday season including a gorgeous tree with stunning ornaments.

Guests were elegantly dressed for the gala affair. Welcome drink Paloma Cicchetto Spritz. Gourmet Culinary Food Stations were set up throughout the first floor of Casa Loma. Tickets included an open bar with bars set up around the venue. Lavazza bar offered Espresso Martinis. Delicious typical Italian food to meet everyone’s tastes. There was an extensive buffet table with a variety of specialty meats, cheeses, olives, breads and crackers.

Delicious pastries and cakes from AMICO Bakery. Scrumptious pizzas from CIBO Wine Bar catering. Delicious ravioli and other comfort dishes from different parts of Italy. Samples of mouth melting Italian panettone from Dacasto King Inc. The evening was one of savouries and sweets for all to enjoy. Guests loved the band with its upbeat songs and great lead singer. Then everyone was honoured with the opera singer. The music was perfect for the event.

The highlight was having the star of the evening Giancarlo Esposito along with Liberty Entertainment Group President CEO Nick Di Donato, ICFF’s Cristiano de Florentiis & Mara Cataldi, and Matt have their group photo taken on the photobooth boat! A fun and star-packed photo!

The ICFF event was a memorable evening with wonderful people, delicious food and drinks at Toronto’s beautiful Casa Loma. This special event with Esposito is just one of many ICFF special events, which celebrates Italian heritage highlighting the best of Italian food, fashion, music, literature, architecture and industry developments. ICFF’s evening with Giancarlo Esposito was a wonderful success!