NEW YORK (AP) — The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has decided to withdraw a documentary titled “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” which focuses on the 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel. The festival’s organizers cited a rights issue related to the film's footage as the primary reason for this decision. Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich directed the documentary, which features the story of retired Israeli General Noam Tibon, who was highlighted in a “60 Minutes” segment for his efforts to protect his family and others during the attack on October 7, 2023.
In a statement released on Tuesday, TIFF acknowledged that the film was initially accepted into the festival lineup but was later withdrawn because it did not fulfill the necessary legal requirements, including the clearance of all footage used. The festival organizers emphasized that these conditions were put in place to mitigate potential legal repercussions and manage anticipated risks associated with screening a film addressing such a sensitive subject matter.
The filmmakers expressed their disappointment with TIFF’s decision, accusing the festival of engaging in “censorship.” They stated, “We are shocked and saddened that a venerable film festival has defied its mission and censored its own programming by refusing this film.” The team insisted that film is an art form capable of stimulating debate from various perspectives, and they believe it is essential for audiences to have the opportunity to engage with the subject matter.
According to reports from Deadline, one of the main hurdles in obtaining the necessary rights centered around the identification and legal clearance of footage, which included Hamas militants' own livestreaming of the attack. Festival organizers have not provided further comments since the announcement.
Despite the withdrawal from TIFF, the filmmakers remain committed to releasing “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” inviting audiences, broadcasters, and streaming services to view the film and form their own opinions about it.
This incident is not the first controversy that TIFF has faced regarding its film selections. In the previous year, the festival faced backlash and eventually canceled screenings of “Russians at War,” a documentary focusing on Russian soldiers involved in the conflict with Ukraine, due to protests in Toronto labeling the film as Russian propaganda. However, after a pause due to significant threats, the film was screened quietly towards the end of the festival.
The 50th Toronto International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from September 4 to September 14, 2025. As the festival approaches, the discussions surrounding censorship and artistic expression in documentary filmmaking continue to evolve.
