CineDine Brings Film Talent Together at TIFF 2026
Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rami Malek were among the guests at four invitation-only gatherings blending film, food and conversation.
During the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, CineDine brought the celebration to the dinner table. The new invitation-only celebrity supper club debuted with four gatherings at PUNCH at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer, welcoming actors, filmmakers and entertainment insiders for cast dinners, premiere receptions and industry celebrations.
Created by Twenty35 Agency and presented in partnership with Redbreast Irish Whiskey, the concept offered an intimate setting within the festival’s busy social calendar. Food, cocktails and conversation anchored a program designed to give talent and their collaborators space to connect.
According to organizers, guests across the inaugural series included Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Gael García Bernal, Rami Malek, Cole Sprouse, Esmeralda Pimentel, Jorge Salinas, Adam Arkin, Florian Zeller and Eugene Kotlyarenko.
Four Gatherings Celebrating Film
CineDine’s inaugural program featured celebrations surrounding Bunker, Hombre al Agua and Up Against It, along with The Creative Coalition Spotlight Awards Dinner.
Each gathering brought cast members and industry guests together in a private setting, pairing the occasion with culinary and cocktail offerings. The format placed shared meals and conversation at the center of the experience, creating an alternative to the festival’s larger premiere parties.
Across the four events, the supper club connected film celebrations with the hospitality of a seated dinner or smaller reception.
BUNKER — September 14
Festival premiere reception at PUNCH at Le Germain Mercer
Sponsored by Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Caviar Bar & Co., Isola Serena Tuscany and Château des Charmes
Related Article: CineDine Brings Film, Food and A-List Talent to Toronto
HOMBRE AL AGUA — September 15
Cast dinner at PUNCH at Le Germain Mercer
Sponsored by Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Caviar Bar & Co., Isola Serena Tuscany and Château des Charmes
The Creative Coalition Spotlight Awards — September 15
Festival dinner at PUNCH at Le Germain Mercer
Sponsored by Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Caviar Bar & Co., Isola Serena Tuscany and Château des Charmes
UP AGAINST IT — September 17
Festival premiere reception at PUNCH at Le Germain Mercer
Sponsored by Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Caviar Bar & Co., Isola Serena Tuscany and Château des Charmes
PUNCH Sets the Scene
The newly opened PUNCH at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer hosted the series. Dark wood and glass finishes, mahogany detailing, leather banquettes, feather chandeliers, and intimate lighting provided the backdrop.
Led by executive chef Mandar Kulkarni, the restaurant draws on Indian and British culinary influences, incorporating family recipes and global flavors into a contemporary menu designed for sharing. Its cocktail program also explores Indian and British influences and the history of punch.
Designed by Block Plan Studios, the 91-seat dining room combines British guild hall references with marble, warm woods, artwork, and statement lighting. That setting supported CineDine’s emphasis on bringing guests together around the table.
Culinary Partners Add to the Experience
Redbreast Irish Whiskey led the bar program with signature cocktails and a selection of its Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey expressions. Guests were offered Redbreast 12, 15, and 18 Year Old, alongside selections from the brand’s Iberian Series.
Toronto’s Caviar & Bar Co. provided caviar and macaron service for VIP guests during select celebrations.
Château des Charmes served as CineDine’s exclusive wine partner, presenting its Superior Chardonnay, Superior Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wine.
Isola Serena, a private villa and estate in Tuscany’s Chianti region, introduced guests to its estate-produced extra virgin olive oil. Made from olives grown and harvested on the property and bottled in Tuscany, the offering brought another culinary element to the series.
A Supper Club Approach to Festival Hospitality
With its Toronto debut, CineDine introduced a hospitality concept built around smaller gatherings surrounding films and cultural occasions.
Twenty35 Agency developed the program to bring actors, filmmakers, entertainment industry leaders and invited guests together through private dinners, cocktail receptions and celebrations. Its first festival series put that approach into practice across four events, making the table a meeting place for the people behind the films.
PUNCH is located at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer, 30 Mercer St., Toronto. Visit PUNCH’s website for more information about the venue.
