TIFF Reinstates Screening of Hamas Attack Documentary Following Backlash

Barry Avrich arrives at the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Gala in Toronto on September 9, 2019. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) says it has reached a resolution with the filmmaker of a Canadian documentary chronicling rescue efforts during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, reversing an earlier decision to pull the film and confirming it will be screened at this year’s festival.

“We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns,” Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) CEO Cameron Bailey and Filmmaker Barry Avrich said in an Aug. 14 joint statement.

“We are pleased to share that The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue will be an official TIFF selection at the festival this year, where we believe it will contribute to the vital conversations that film is meant to inspire.”

The statement said both TIFF and the filmmakers had “heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public” in response to the announcement that the film would not be shown, adding that more details will be announced on Aug. 20 regarding the film’s premiere date.

Additionally, the statement says that TIFF’s communication about its requirements “did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose” and said the organization apologizes for this.

The documentary follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon’s mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

‘Potential Threat’

On Aug. 12, TIFF dropped the film from its upcoming showcase due to requirements the organization said were requested when the film was invited to the festival on July 14, which TIFF said included “legal clearance of all footage.”

Additionally, TIFF said it wanted to “mitigate anticipated and known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption.”

Bailey told The Epoch Times in an Aug. 13 statement that he did not intend to “offend or alienate” anyone with the decision to drop the film, but said “the situation calls for compassion and sensitivity.”

While Bailey did not provide specifics about why the documentary was dropped, he said that TIFF wants to ensure any film it screens is done in a “safe, inclusive” environment.

“The events of October 7, 2023 and the ongoing suffering in Gaza weigh heavily on us, underscoring the urgent need for compassion amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia,” Bailey said. “While we are not a political organization, TIFF will always strive to present our programming in a safe, inclusive environment.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an Aug. 13 email that Avrich’s filmmaking team was “shocked and saddened” by the decision, noting that the film is not political or activist in nature. The spokesperson said the decision to refuse the film meant TIFF had “defied its mission and censored its own programming.”

Public Outcry

TIFF’s decision not to screen the film sparked a public outcry, including from some Jewish groups and politicians.

Toronto’s Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) said in an Aug. 13 release that it was “deeply disturbed” by TIFF’s decision to remove the documentary from its screening lineup and urged the festival to reverse its decision.

FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt called TIFF’s action “unfathomable” and an example of  “cancel culture.”

“Not only does it violate artistic freedom, it’s an insult to Canada’s Jewish community and to all who suffered unimaginable atrocities and trauma on October 7,” Levitt said in a statement.

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman called TIFF’s decision to drop the film a form of censorship, and noted in a social media post that the film festival receives federal funding.

Toronto City Councillors James Pasternak and Brad Bradford also issued an Aug. 13 statement asking TIFF to reverse its “rash decision” to drop the film, calling the move censorship.

Meanwhile, Bailey rejected the accusations that the decision to drop the film was due to censorship.

“I want to be clear: claims that the film was rejected due to censorship are unequivocally false,” Bailey said. “Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film’s subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup.”

TIFF is set to take place from Sept. 4 to 14 in Toronto this year.

Paul Rowan Brian and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.