Welcome to the Illume 2023 Festival in Toronto!
Festivals are a place to gather, connect, celebrate, and be inspired — Illume 2023 is sure to do all of that, and more! The Illume Festival weekend is loaded with different activities and events. And we can’t wait to share it all with you!
Ensure you have your Festival Pass, to gain access to all of the events listed below. (Unless otherwise stated)
*Please note that some events have limited capacity and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. This includes the Film Festival screenings, as there is limited seating in the Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum.
The festivities kick off on Friday evening at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, with artist registration and a welcome reception in which participants will meet fellow artists from across the country with an opportunity to build long-lasting connections.
Then come out and watch end-to-end action at the inaugural Illume Classic ice hockey tournament, our first-ever winter sports showcase event.
If you prefer virtual competition, catch the online action as competitors face off in the Global Encounters eFIFA esports qualifying tournament. Tune in throughout the festival to cheer on gamers striving for excellence.
With hospitality, hockey, and esports, Friday provides a warm welcome to an inspiring weekend celebrating talent, sportsmanship, and creativity in arts and sports. Don't miss a moment of the fun as we unite through passion and community!
Experience the thrill of friendly competition and community with our first winter sports event, a 3-on-3 ice hockey tournament.
When: 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Where: National Training Rinks (Richmond Hill, Ontario)
Check out the Global Encounters international qualifying virtual FIFA tournament with participants from across the country.
When: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: The Ismaili Centre, Toronto - Online Broadcast
*Look for timing updates online and onsite signage for broadcast locations.
Prepare for an action-packed day of arts, culture, and community! The excitement begins Saturday morning at the Aga Khan Museum with the first of two National Film Festival showcases. Experience imaginative stories brought to life through shorts, documentaries, and experimental films by talented creators from across Canada.
Then, make your way to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, to wander through the National Visual Art Gallery’s vivid collection of paintings, photos, sculptures, and more. Don’t miss the “Art in the Making” sessions where select artists will give live demos and share their creative process.
In the afternoon, gain an insider’s look at acclaimed filmmaker Farhan Umedaly’s artistic journey during the first Illume Art Dialogue. Enjoy pop-up music and dance performances in the Museum courtyard between films. And create fun festival memories posing with props at the interactive film installation.
As the sun sets, legendary singer Shabnam Merali and musician Mohamed Assani will mesmerize audiences with a magical Sufi-inspired concert.
End your night on a high note as we enjoy a Night at the Museum. Meet other artists while exploring the Museum's newest exhibition, Night in the Garden of Love. Join us for a night of wonder, discovery, and artistic expression that you'll remember for a lifetime.
Experience imaginative films transporting you through the lenses of our artistic community. From revealing documentaries to delightful animations, enjoy a front row seat to compelling visual storytelling at its finest. Filmmakers will present works that underscore our interconnectedness - from our shared planet to personal heritage, while igniting conversation on the critical challenges of our era.
When: 10:00 am - 11:30 am | 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum (First-come first-served seating)
Immerse yourself into a film-inspired installation by using props to become part of a film scene. Festival goers can take fun photos for their Illume memories.
When: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Where: Aga Khan Museum - Foyer
Street art and culture collide at Illume 2023's live graffiti installation with internationally acclaimed artist Javid Jah! Watch as this interdisciplinary creative powerhouse transforms the Ismaili Centre Parkade into a canvas of his signature style blending Islamic motifs, sacred geometries and the raw energy of graffiti.
When: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Where: The Ismaili Centre, Toronto (Parkade B2 - Spot 42) *Look for signage onsite to guide you
Revel in a breathtaking collection of artworks by diverse visual artists from across Canada. Artists will also demonstrate their techniques, skills, and creativity live in “Art in the Making” sessions throughout the day.
When: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Where: The Ismaili Centre, Toronto - Social Hall
Go behind the lens with award-winning filmmaker Farhan Umedaly. Known for documentaries highlighting sustainability, conservation and human rights, Farhan will sit down for a moderated discussion with Aliya Jiwan-Thawer to share his sources of inspiration, his creative process and how he uses filmmaking to effect change. Ask your own questions during an interactive Q&A session.
When: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum (First-come first-served seating)
Delight in the talent of emerging and established award-winning artists that will showcase their craft, initiate cross-cultural dialogue, and engage new audiences on this platform by the Aga Khan Museum.
When: 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Where: Aga Khan Museum Foyer
Experience the thrill of friendly competition at our inaugural winter sports event, featuring a 3-on-3 ice hockey tournament and a youth hockey skills development camp.
When: 4:45 pm - 10:15 pm
Skills Development Camp: 6:00 pm
Awards Presentation: 10:15 pm
Where: National Training Rinks (Richmond Hill, Ontario)
Check out the Global Encounters international qualifying virtual FIFA tournament with participants from across the country.
When: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Playoffs start at 3:00 pm
Where: The Ismaili Centre, Toronto - Online/Broadcast
*Look for timing updates online and onsite signage for broadcast locations.
Join us for a special concert featuring Shabnam Merali, an award-winning singer and songwriter, who will mesmerize the audience with a Sufi musical tribute, accompanied by the renowned composer-sitarist Mohamed Assani and talented artists from across the country.
When: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum
Please note that this event is not included in the Festival Pass. A limited number of tickets are now available while supplies last.
Experience the magic of art come to life with exclusive access to the Aga Khan Museum after hours. Be among the first to witness the captivating new Night in the Garden of Love exhibit. Explore the museum's galleries during the Artist Walk, celebrating our national artists and their incredible creations. Delight in a mesmerizing feature performance that will transport you to another world. Engage your senses through special artistic activities, including captivating spoken word performances that will leave you inspired. This is not just an event; it's a journey into the heart of creativity and culture. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
- 7:30 PM - Artist Walk, Main Lobby
- 8:30 PM - Spoken Word, Bellerive Room
- 9:00 PM - Feature Performance, Courtyard
- 9:30 PM - Spoken Word, Bellerive Room
Prepare to be inspired on the final day of Illume! Start your Sunday at the Aga Khan Museum taking in the creativity of emerging filmmakers during the final National Film Festival showcase.
Then make your way next door to the Ismaili Centre to again wander through the stunning National Visual Art Gallery. Don’t miss more “Art in the Making” sessions where select artists give exclusive demos.
In the early afternoon, gain insight into acclaimed composer Amin Bhatia’s musical journey during an illuminating Art Dialogue fireside chat.
Between films, enjoy more pop-up music and dance performances in the Museum's courtyard. And pose playfully with props at the interactive film installation.
Let Sunday’s schedule stir your senses through cinematic stories, vivid canvases, and interactive experiences!
Experience imaginative films transporting you through the lenses of our artistic community. From revealing documentaries to delightful animations, enjoy a front row seat to compelling visual storytelling at its finest. From short films to reels, artists will present works that underscore our interconnectedness - from our shared planet to personal heritage, while igniting conversation on the critical challenges of our era.
When: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum (First-come first-served seating)
Showcasing a breathtaking collection of artworks by diverse visual artists from across Canada. Artists will also demonstrate their techniques, skills, and creativity live in “Art in the Making” sessions throughout the day.
When: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: The Ismaili Centre, Toronto - Social Hall
Immerse yourself in the musical mind of Emmy-nominated screen composer Amin Bhatia. With a career spanning movies, television, radio, theater, and IMAX films, Amin will reveal his artistic journey in a fireside chat with CTV News anchor Omar Sachedina. Amin will share reflections on memorable projects including his work creating the musical arrangement for the Nashid of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Ask your own questions during an interactive Q&A session.
When: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum (First-come first-served seating)
Delight in the talent of emerging and established award-winning artists that will showcase their craft, initiate cross-cultural dialogue, and engage new audiences on this platform by the Aga Khan Museum.
When: 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm.
Where: Aga Khan Museum Foyer
Prince's Trust Canada presents an interactive conversation with a diverse panel of leading industry experts, who will share their personal pathways to success, insights and guidance for the next generation of artists.
When: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum
