TIFF reverses course, announces it will now screen controversial October 7 film
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Earlier this week, the festival outraged the filmmakers and Jewish groups when it rescinded an invitation for The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue to screen at this year's festival, which kicks off Sept. 4.
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'(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.
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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
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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.
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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.'
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said in a statement Thursday that TIFF 'ultimately made the right call.'
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'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.'
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