La Dolce Vita

From the outset, the creation of the Canadian Film Centre’s “Luci, Camera, Azione!” gala was truly a collaborative effort. The event, held Wednesday at the KoolHaus, is the organization’s primary fund-raiser, and the gala—which paid tribute to vintage Italian cinema this year—is viewed as a way to thank the film centre’s donors, said Mark Fellion, one of six CFC planners who worked on the benefit. “This event is always a challenge. It’s very time consuming,” said Fellion. “We have a huge committee, and really they’re the ones who pulled this whole thing together.”

Committee co-chairs Pat DiBratto and Kate Alexander Daniels created the vision for the evening. “We sat and talked about what was that thing that Italy does best,” Daniels said, adding the committee couldn’t come up with just one thing. So, the evening became a celebration of La Dolce Vita, showcasing Italy’s history, culture, food, wine, designers, and music. “It’s everything that’s wonderful about Italy,” DiBratto said.The CFC’s organizing committee worked with Leslie Kyriacou of Kyriacou & Associates to create an Italian vibe in the KoolHaus. Red velvet drapes hung in the entranceway, which featured two floral arrangements positioned in front of ornate architectural panels placed on either side of the door. The red colour scheme continued inside the main room, with red lighting accenting the bar and stage, accented by three oversize film posters designed by TAXI. Vintage movie props, including director’s chairs and stage lights, created a focal point at the back of the room.

Italian culture influenced every element of the gala, including the menu of buffalo mozzarella salad and porcini mushroom agnolotti created by Via Allegro Ristorante, and the raffle prizes, donated by Italian jeweller Pomellato. The live auction offered the opportunity to bid on a vacation in a Tuscan villa. Silent auction items included luxury goods from Italian designers Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, and a black truffle flown in from the Region of Umbria earlier that day, which came with a warning that the mushroom must be consumed within 24 hours.

Entertainment included performers from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, who dressed as paparazzi at the front entrance, and a performance by the musical group I Quattro. Rosanna Riverso sang the Canadian and Italian national anthems at the start of the evening. Rick Mercer, host of the Rick Mercer Report, was the evening's M.C. Jay Mandarino and Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker served as auctioneers. Guests in attendance included Canadian film directors Atom Egoyan and Deepa Mehta. Nelly Furtado and Sir Richard Branson also made appearances.

The gift bags—sponsored by Holt Renfrew and Giorgio Armani—included Aqua Di Gio cologne, aftershave, and lotion for the men, and Code perfume, soaps, shower gel, and body lotion for the women.