TIFF reverses course, announces it will now screen controversial October 7 film
Article content
Earlier this week, the festival outraged the filmmakers and Jewish groups when it rescinded an invitation for The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue to screen at this year's festival, which kicks off Sept. 4.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'(The film) 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 festival said.
Article content
Please see the following statement from TIFF and the Filmmaker regarding The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue. pic.twitter.com/e3Peik2es1
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 15, 2025
Article content
Article content
The film, produced by Melbar Entertainment Group and directed by Avrich, a Canadian, tells the story of retired Israel Defence Forces Gen. Noam Tibon, who raced from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Nahal Oz near Gaza on October 7 to save his son Amir's family.
Article content
Article content
TIFF had originally said the filmmakers did not secure 'legal clearance of all footage,' which was among the conditions the festival requested to mitigate 'known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption.'
Article content
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said in a statement Thursday that TIFF 'ultimately made the right call.'
Article content
'Tens of thousands of Canadians — including civic leaders, elected officials, artists and people from all backgrounds—spoke out against TIFF's shameful decision to cave to extremist pressure. Their voices were heard,' CIJA said. 'Let's make it the most-watched film at TIFF and, eventually, on screens across the country. Everyone needs to see the real cost of unchecked extremism—and the bravery of those who stand in defence of human life and our shared values.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
TIFF and filmmaker Barry Avrich reach resolution to screen Oct. 7 doc
The Toronto International Film Festival has released a statement regarding why the documentary was pulled from the lineup. TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival says a documentary about the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 is now an official selection and will screen at the festival after initially being disinvited. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and filmmaker Barry Avrich say they have reached a resolution after hearing 'pain and frustration' from the public. In a joint statement, they say they have ironed out 'important safety, legal and programming concerns' around the film, titled 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.' Earlier this week, festival organizers said they pulled the documentary because it didn't meet certain requirements around security concerns and 'legal clearance of all footage.' The decision sparked an international outcry, including from some Jewish groups and politicians. The filmmakers also accused the festival of censorship. TIFF backtracked on Wednesday, saying it would find a way to work with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film. Bailey and Avrich's statement says TIFF apologizes for not clearly articulating its concerns. The documentary follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon's mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken. TIFF runs from Sept. 4 to 14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
TIFF reverses course, announces it will now screen controversial October 7 film
After two days of intense controversy, the Toronto International Film Festival has not only reversed its decision to disinvite an October 7 documentary, but has made it an official festival selection. Earlier this week, the festival outraged the filmmakers and Jewish groups when it rescinded an invitation for The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue to screen at this year's festival, which kicks off Sept. 4. The festival backtracked late Thursday evening, issuing a joint statement from Cameron Bailey, TIFF's CEO and Barry Avrich, the filmmaker. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. '(The film) 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 festival said. Please see the following statement from TIFF and the Filmmaker regarding The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue. The film, produced by Melbar Entertainment Group and directed by Avrich, a Canadian, tells the story of retired Israel Defence Forces Gen. Noam Tibon, who raced from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Nahal Oz near Gaza on October 7 to save his son Amir's family. TIFF had originally said the filmmakers did not secure 'legal clearance of all footage,' which was among the conditions the festival requested to mitigate 'known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption.' The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said in a statement Thursday that TIFF 'ultimately made the right call.' 'Tens of thousands of Canadians — including civic leaders, elected officials, artists and people from all backgrounds—spoke out against TIFF's shameful decision to cave to extremist pressure. Their voices were heard,' CIJA said. 'Let's make it the most-watched film at TIFF and, eventually, on screens across the country. Everyone needs to see the real cost of unchecked extremism—and the bravery of those who stand in defence of human life and our shared values.' The initial decision drew condemnation from a number of figures, including Idit Shamir, Israel's consul general for Toronto and western Canada, who called the film festival's Wednesday apology — in which it denied that 'censorship' had played a role in the decision — 'PR perfume on institutional moral rot.' 'They called it important. Then they withdrew it for phantom legal reasons forcing October 7th survivors to seek Hamas permission for massacre footage. Zero transparency on core outrage,' Shamir said. Excellent news. I am thrilled that Barry Avrich's important work will be showcased at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Stan Cho, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, called the film 'a crucial medium of dialogue.' 'I believe freedom of expression is integral to the arts,' Cho said. On Thursday evening, Cho called TIFF's decision 'excellent news.' 'I am thrilled that Barry Avrich's important work will be showcased at this year's Toronto International Film Festival,' Cho wrote on X. — With additional reporting by Chris Knight Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
TIFF reverses course, announces it will now screen controversial October 7 film
After two days of intense controversy, the Toronto International Film Festival has not only reversed its decision to disinvite an October 7 documentary, but has made it an official festival selection. Article content Earlier this week, the festival outraged the filmmakers and Jewish groups when it rescinded an invitation for The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue to screen at this year's festival, which kicks off Sept. 4. Article content Article content Article content Please see the following statement from TIFF and the Filmmaker regarding The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue. — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 15, 2025 Article content Article content The film, produced by Melbar Entertainment Group and directed by Avrich, a Canadian, tells the story of retired Israel Defence Forces Gen. Noam Tibon, who raced from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Nahal Oz near Gaza on October 7 to save his son Amir's family. Article content Article content TIFF had originally said the filmmakers did not secure 'legal clearance of all footage,' which was among the conditions the festival requested to mitigate 'known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption.' Article content The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said in a statement Thursday that TIFF 'ultimately made the right call.' Article content 'Tens of thousands of Canadians — including civic leaders, elected officials, artists and people from all backgrounds—spoke out against TIFF's shameful decision to cave to extremist pressure. Their voices were heard,' CIJA said. 'Let's make it the most-watched film at TIFF and, eventually, on screens across the country. Everyone needs to see the real cost of unchecked extremism—and the bravery of those who stand in defence of human life and our shared values.'
