TORONTO, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Continuing to build its presence across North America, Lavazza, the globally renowned Italian coffee brand, has signed a multi-year agreement with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), becoming the Festival’s Gala Presenting Partner and Official Coffee Partner through 2028. The new agreement marks the deepest chapter yet in a partnership that began in 2023, adding the role of Gala Presenting Partner to Lavazza’s existing status as Official Coffee Partner and introducing the first-ever Lavazza Bar on the TIFF Red Carpet.

Taking place September 10–20, 2026, this will be Lavazza’s most expansive TIFF program to date. As a Gala Presenting Partner, Lavazza will be part of some of the festival’s highest-profile world premieres at the iconic Roy Thomson Hall, where acclaimed films, filmmakers and talent take the stage. Lavazza is also introducing new touchpoints for talent, industry professionals and moviegoers at TIFF and in the broader Toronto area.

As Gala Presenting Partner, Lavazza will deepen its contribution to the festival through a broader coffee offering and greater consumer reach. Dedicated on-screen visibility, a stronger presence across the TIFF film program and an expanded footprint during festival days are among the benefits that TIFF and Lavazza are building together through this expanded partnership.

“TIFF is one of the world’s most renowned film festivals, making our addition of the Gala Presenting Partner role an exciting milestone for Lavazza in Canada,” said Daniele Foti, Vice President of Marketing for Lavazza North America. “Our shared connection to creativity, culture and exceptional talent makes TIFF a natural partner for Lavazza, and this multi-year agreement reflects our commitment to building on that relationship through 2028. TIFF gives us a powerful platform with deep local relevance, allowing us to connect with consumers in meaningful ways both during the Festival and beyond. As we continue to grow the Lavazza brand in Canada, this partnership is an important part of building lasting brand equity and establishing Lavazza as a leading premium coffee brand for Canadian consumers.”

A Festival-Wide Coffee Experience

In its Gala Presenting role, Lavazza will bring its signature coffee experience to audiences across the Festival and the city through a series of new and returning activations:

  • Lavazza Bar on the TIFF Red Carpet – Located directly on the official TIFF Roy Thomson Hall Red Carpet, the first-ever Lavazza Bar offers talent, filmmakers and invited guests a place to pause between red-carpet moments and enjoy expertly crafted Lavazza coffee and signature coffeetails.
  • TIFF: The Market at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre – Industry professionals can enjoy Lavazza coffee classics and the Flat Choco-White crafted specially for the Festival, featuring a distinctive combination of coconut and chocolate.
  • Cinema Lavazza at Festival Village (David Pecaut Square) – A free, immersive space blending the charm of a classic movie theatre lobby with the warmth of an authentic Italian café. Festivalgoers can sample Lavazza Cold Brew, pose for a memorable photo in plush velvet theatre seats alongside Luigi – Lavazza’s playful robot who dreams of experiencing the pleasure of coffee – and take home a sample of Lavazza’s signature Qualità Oro blend along with custom merchandise.
  • Lavazza Pop-Up at Toronto’s Union Station – Beyond the festival grounds, Lavazza will host a pop-up from September 13 to 15. Inspired by Florence’s historic wine windows, guests can step up to a theatre-inspired service window and ring a bell to reveal a prize – from coffee samples to branded merchandise and more. The pop-up will be open Sunday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., and Monday, September 14, and Tuesday, September 15, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

Lavazza’s partnership with TIFF reflects the brand’s longstanding connection to film, creativity and artistic expression. Across North America, Lavazza continues to collaborate with festivals, awards programs and cultural institutions that share its commitment to talent, storytelling and excellence.

For more information about Lavazza, visit Lavazza.ca.

About Lavazza Group

Lavazza, founded in Turin in 1895, has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today, the Group is one of the leading players in the global coffee scene, with turnover of over €3.9 billion and a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, such as Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild, and Kicking Horse.

It operates across all business sectors and has operations in 140 markets, with nine manufacturing plants in five countries and about 5,500 collaborators worldwide. The Group’s global presence is the result of over 130 years of growth, and the more than 30 billion cups of Lavazza coffee produced every year are a testament to a remarkable success story, with the goal of continuing to offer the best coffee possible, in all forms, by focusing on every aspect of the supply chain, from the selection of the raw material to the product in the cup.

Lavazza Group has revolutionized coffee culture by investing continuously in research and development: from the intuition that marked the company’s earliest success—the coffee blend—to the development of innovative packaging solutions; from the first espresso sipped in Space to the dozens of industrial patents. Its ability to stay ahead of its time is also reflected in its attention to economic, social, and environmental issues, which have long guided corporate strategy.

“Awakening a better world every morning” is the corporate purpose of Lavazza Group, with the aim of creating value for shareholders, collaborators, consumers and the communities in which it operates, combining competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility.

Media Contact

Lavazza@talkshopmedia.com


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