Lavazza, the world-renowned Italian coffee brand with a legacy spanning more than a century, is once again stepping into the spotlight as the official coffee partner of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). As TIFF celebrates its landmark 50th edition from September 4–14, 2025, Lavazza will be on hand to enrich the festival experience with its signature Italian passion, craftsmanship, and premium coffee blends.
For 11 days, festivalgoers from across the globe will immerse themselves in cinema’s biggest stories while sipping Lavazza’s expertly crafted coffees. The collaboration extends far beyond a simple beverage sponsorship—it represents a celebration of culture, artistry, and connection. Through immersive experiences, iconic blends, and unique activations, Lavazza aims to offer festival attendees not only a taste of Italy but also an opportunity to slow down and savour the festival in true Italian style.
Lavazza at the Heart of TIFF
As the official coffee partner, Lavazza has a strong presence across TIFF’s most iconic venues and events. Attendees will find Lavazza coffee available throughout the festival at multiple locations, ensuring that every moment of TIFF can be enjoyed with an exceptional cup in hand. These include:
- Festival Street – the lively outdoor hub where fans, locals, and visitors gather to soak in the atmosphere of TIFF.
- Industry Centre Café at the Hyatt Regency – a central meeting place for industry professionals, press, and filmmakers.
- Industry Conference at Glenn Gould Studios – where key discussions, panels, and creative exchanges unfold.
- TIFF Lightbox – the festival’s year-round headquarters and a hub for premieres and screenings.
- Major theatres – including Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, and Royal Alexandra Theatre, where many of the festival’s most anticipated premieres take place.
In addition to these public venues, Lavazza will also be featured at Cinema Center (Sept 5–11), TIFF’s exclusive media and hospitality hub. Here, the brand will provide coffee service for private press junkets, receptions, and VIP gatherings, further cementing its reputation as a unifying force behind the scenes.
A Vintage Italian Cinema Experience
The centerpiece of Lavazza’s TIFF 50 celebration will be located at David Pecaut Square, where the company is creating an interactive, cinema-inspired activation. Drawing inspiration from vintage Italian cinema, the activation pays homage to Italy’s cultural influence on global storytelling while creating an atmosphere where festivalgoers can step into the magic of both film and coffee.
The experience will feature:
- An interactive photo opportunity that allows guests to capture their TIFF memories with a nostalgic twist.
- A custom postcard station where attendees can create a keepsake featuring Lavazza’s beloved mascot, Luigi.
- Signature coffee tastings, including Lavazza’s refreshing Cold Brew and its iconic Qualità Oro blend, a classic Italian roast known for its balance of tradition, flavour, and smoothness.
This immersive setup captures Lavazza’s philosophy of blending heritage with innovation. Just as cinema connects generations through timeless stories, Lavazza uses its craft to bridge tradition and modern coffee culture.
Coffee and Storytelling: A Shared Purpose
Daniele Foti, Marketing Vice President of Lavazza North America, reflected on the importance of this year’s milestone festival:
“We’re honoured to be part of TIFF 50, a celebration of the power of global storytelling. At Lavazza, coffee and storytelling share the same purpose—bringing people together. This year, we’re debuting a vintage Italian cinema-inspired experience, inviting guests to step into our heritage, savour our signature blends, and share a taste of Italy with festivalgoers from around the world.”
This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the essence of the partnership. Just as cinema provides a universal language through which people share experiences, emotions, and cultures, coffee offers a similar bridge, turning ordinary moments into shared experiences. TIFF provides Lavazza with the ideal stage to showcase this philosophy.
A Longstanding Commitment to Culture
Lavazza’s partnership with TIFF is not a one-time sponsorship, but rather a continuation of the brand’s broader mission to support arts, culture, and community worldwide. Founded in Turin in 1895, Lavazza has long been more than just a coffee company—it has positioned itself as a cultural ambassador, celebrating creativity across different platforms.
Over the years, the company has supported initiatives in visual art, design, photography, and cinema, building a reputation as a global patron of culture. Its return to TIFF, especially for the festival’s golden anniversary, highlights its commitment to fostering creativity and community in Canada.
By aligning with TIFF, one of the world’s premier cultural events, Lavazza not only strengthens its presence in North America but also deepens its ties with audiences who value quality, artistry, and authenticity. This partnership underscores the shared values between film and coffee: craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to inspire meaningful connections.
A Taste of Italy in Toronto
For festivalgoers, Lavazza’s presence offers more than a caffeine boost. It’s a chance to engage with Italian heritage, embrace moments of reflection between screenings, and celebrate TIFF in a uniquely immersive way. Whether through a quick espresso before a premiere, a refreshing cold brew on Festival Street, or a leisurely coffee shared with friends at the Industry Centre Café, Lavazza aims to create moments of joy and connection throughout the festival.
The company’s signature Qualità Oro blend, for example, has been cherished by coffee lovers for decades. Its golden profile represents Lavazza’s pursuit of excellence and tradition—a fitting symbol for TIFF 50, which similarly honours decades of cinematic excellence while looking to the future.
