Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel among 1,000 signees of petition condemning TIFF's handling of Oct. 7 doc
The letter comes after TIFF had said it would pull 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue' from its lineup, sparking a public outcry over the decision, which the festival subsequently reversed.
In a joint statement Thursday, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and director Barry Avrich said they had reached a resolution and that the doc will screen at next month's festival.
The petition, released by the L.A.-based Creative Community For Peace, accuses TIFF of 'appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists' intent to silence Jewish voices' by disinviting the film.
The letter says that while the film has been reinstated, the festival 'has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.'
TIFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The petition also calls on TIFF's board of directors to question the organization's leadership, to platform Israeli voices and 'to choose dialogue over exclusion.'
The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon's mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken.
Canadian signees of the petition include filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg and producer Martin Katz, while U.S. actors on the letter include Jerry O'Connell, Mayim Bialik and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Earlier this week, festival organizers said they had pulled the documentary over unmet requirements related to security concerns and the 'legal clearance of all footage.'
The move sparked an international backlash, drawing criticism from some Jewish groups and politicians, while the filmmakers accused the festival of censorship.
TIFF backtracked Wednesday, announcing it would work with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film.
Weekly
A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene.
On Thursday, Bailey and Avrich released a joint statement saying they had reached a resolution after hearing 'pain and frustration' from the public.
They said they ironed out 'important safety, legal and programming concerns' around the film.
'We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns,' the statement said.
TIFF runs Sept. 4 to 14.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
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Documentary about Oct. 7 Hamas attack to screen at TIFF after resolution with director
Headlines Latest News Podcasts (new window) The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue was initially pulled over legal clearance of footage, security issues The Toronto International Film Festival has reached a resolution with director Barry Avrich that will allow his documentary about the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel to be screened at the festival after it was initially pulled over the legal clearance of footage and security issues. Photo: Reuters / Mark Blinch Posted: August 15, 2025 10:59 AM 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 it was initially 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, the festival and the director say they have ironed out important safety, legal and programming concerns around the film, titled The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue . The documentary follows retired IDF 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, according to Israeli tallies. Earlier this week, festival organizers said (new window) 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 said on Wednesday that it was working with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film. The statement said that TIFF has apologized for not clearly articulating its concerns. TIFF runs from Sept. 4 to 14. Trump slapped Canada with higher tariffs Aug. 1 while giving Mexico more time 9 hours ago Trade Agreements Union members will strike around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday if deal isn't reached 11 hours ago Trade Unionism Starsailor is the most powerful student-built rocket engine to be launched, says Transport Canada National average sale price of a home sold in July was $672,784 Creature comforts persist, but cracks emerge in Russia's wartime economy 12 hours ago Armed Conflicts
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Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel among 1,000 signees of petition condemning TIFF's handling of Oct. 7 doc
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel and Debra Messing are among more than 1,000 entertainment figures who have signed an open letter condemning the Toronto International Film Festival for its handling of a film about the Hamas attacks in Israel. The letter comes after TIFF had said it would pull 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue' from its lineup, sparking a public outcry over the decision, which the festival subsequently reversed.
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
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Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel among 1,000 signees of petition condemning TIFF's handling of Oct. 7 doc
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel and Debra Messing are among more than 1,000 entertainment figures who have signed an open letter condemning the Toronto International Film Festival for its handling of a film about the Hamas attacks in Israel. The letter comes after TIFF had said it would pull 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue' from its lineup, sparking a public outcry over the decision, which the festival subsequently reversed. In a joint statement Thursday, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and director Barry Avrich said they had reached a resolution and that the doc will screen at next month's festival. The petition, released by the L.A.-based Creative Community For Peace, accuses TIFF of 'appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists' intent to silence Jewish voices' by disinviting the film. The letter says that while the film has been reinstated, the festival 'has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.' TIFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The petition also calls on TIFF's board of directors to question the organization's leadership, to platform Israeli voices and 'to choose dialogue over exclusion.' The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon's mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken. Canadian signees of the petition include filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg and producer Martin Katz, while U.S. actors on the letter include Jerry O'Connell, Mayim Bialik and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Earlier this week, festival organizers said they had pulled the documentary over unmet requirements related to security concerns and the 'legal clearance of all footage.' The move sparked an international backlash, drawing criticism from some Jewish groups and politicians, while the filmmakers accused the festival of censorship. TIFF backtracked Wednesday, announcing it would work with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. On Thursday, Bailey and Avrich released a joint statement saying they had reached a resolution after hearing 'pain and frustration' from the public. They said they ironed out 'important safety, legal and programming concerns' around the film. 'We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns,' the statement said. TIFF runs Sept. 4 to 14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
